St Andrews in Focus • Shopping • Eating • Events • Town/Gown • People and More from the Editor I Have Learned a Delightful New/Old Word, Contents ‘Concinnity’

St AndrewsISSN 2514-409X in focus • shopping • eating • events • town/gown • people and more

Issue 91, £2.00 the award winning magazine for St Andrews, Scotland November/December 2018 www.standrewsinfocus.com St Andrews in focus • shopping • eating • events • town/gown • people and more From the Editor I have learned a delightful new/old word, Contents ‘concinnity’. It’s been around since at least the mid-16th century, so Google tells me – “from Latin FEATURES concinnitas, from concinnus ‘skillfully put together’” • Community Council 3 and it means: “The skilful and harmonious • Eleanor Gunstone remembered 4 arrangement, or fitting together of the different • 80th Anniversary, the Kinder Transport 5 parts of something; also, studied elegance of literary or artistic style.” The bibulous among you • Uncle Charles 6 will be pleased to know that the Merriam-Webster • John Matthews 7 dictionary further explains that the Romans • ‘Lest We Forget’ 8 apparently enjoyed a cocktail called cinnus, that gave rise to the verb • Cairngorm Seedlings 8 concinnare, and so on. Allow me, therefore, to wish you all, wherever you • ‘Albany’ 9 may be, a most concinnitous Christmas and New Year! • ‘Out of Focus’ 9 • Reviews: Flora Selwyn – J & G Innes recommends 10 – On & About Poetry 11 • Story time: * * * * * * * * – What to do with Mr Tottle 12 TOWN & GOWN The views expressed elsewhere in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. • Volunteering 13 © St Andrews in Focus (2003) • The New Silk Road Project 14-15 • John Cameron’s column 16 • Special Feature: University Strategy for 2018-23 17-20 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 SHOPS & SERVICES EDITOR Flora Selwyn • Why ‘Fairtrade Town’? 21 Tel: 01334 472375 • Electronic Wills 23 Email: [email protected] • The Trusted Trader Scheme 23 DESIGNER • Roving Reporter 25 University of St Andrews Print & Design ([email protected]) ORGANISATIONS PRINTER • Community Safety Panel 26 Winter & Simpson • Cats Protection 26 ([email protected]) • Memory Café 27 DISTRIBUTOR • Signs of the times 27 Drop 2 Door ([email protected]) EVENTS PUBLISHER • The Archaeological Society 28 (address for correspondence) • Youth Theatre interview 28 Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., • Car Free Day 29 Suite 160, 15 Bell Street, • The Heisenberg Ensemble 29 St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9UR. Tel: 01334 472375 • The Solheim cup 30 Email: [email protected] • The St Andrews Play Club 30 SUBSCRIPTIONS • There will be light! 31 St Andrews in Focus is published 6 times a year. • Selected Events 31 Subscriptions for 6 issues are: OUT & ABOUT £15 in the UK (post & packing included). • Tim Hardie’s Nature Notes 32 Please send cheques to: Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., • Autumn in Aberdour 33 Suite 160, 15 Bell Street, • Hidden Gems 34-35 St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9UR. £27 overseas (post and packing included). Please use PayPal account: NEXT ISSUE – Jan/Feb 2019 [email protected] COPY DEADLINE: NOTE: please pay with a Personal Bank Account, as credit cards incur a 3.9% charge. STRICTLY 28 NOVEMBER

REGISTERED IN SCOTLAND: 255564 All contributions welcome. The Editor reserves the right to publish copy according to available space. THE PAPER USED IS 100% RECYCLED POST-CONSUMER WASTE Cover: an original photo of the Cathedral by Heike Neukirch 2 FEATURES

Callum MacLeod, from the Provost’s Chair The Community Council

At the end of September the paintings was used for the cover of the one on top of the other more than 600 years it was my pleasure to host last edition of this magazine. ago. From the top of that tower one can see a Civic Reception for the In welcoming the Mayor, I remarked the world-famous links, where golf was first Mayor, and Members of upon how both our ancient burghs – ours played well over 600 years ago. the Conseil Municipal, still Royal, their regal status removed during Only a few months ago we remembered of our twin town Loches, the French Revolution – measured our long the consecration of the Cathedral 700 situated in the Loire Valley of France. histories by the century. years ago in the presence of King Robert Twinning such an international town as Only last year, St Andrews was the the Bruce, not long after the Battle of ours, with its place on the world stage as only place in the United Kingdom to be Bannockburn. This month we will solemnly the Home of Golf, was always going to be a accorded European City of the Reformation remember with gratitude the passing of controversial step; indeed, I confess to have status, as part of the commemorations to another century, that since the end of the been at best lukewarm about the idea myself mark the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran First World War – another, more sombre over the decades it had been discussed. Reformation, one of the catalysts being John link between our two countries. Soon Nevertheless, after a protracted Knox preaching to remarkable effect in our after, and perhaps somewhat ironically, courtship lasting several years, the decision Town Kirk. Brexit will come into effect (though, after was taken to enter into a formal twinning Our University, often appearing in the my authoritative statement about the arrangement, with my predecessor, Howard top hundred rankings of higher educational Community Council election in the last Greenwell, one of the signatories to the establishments in various league tables, edition of St Andrews in Focus, don’t trust Twinning Agreement made a couple of years recently completed the celebrations to mark that statement too much!). ago. Before, and since that date, there its 600th Anniversary by announcing that Whatever your views of the rights and have been many links established between £100m had been raised by its Anniversary wrongs of that process, what is certainly true St Andrews and Loches, ever greater Appeal. This sum allows it to begin to is that cultural links and friendships between numbers of St Andreans and Lochois having refurbish some well-loved buildings, as the peoples of the countries of Europe will visited each other’s towns, cementing with well as build new ones fit for the teaching, become ever more important in breaking pride friendships and cultural links. learning and research requirements of the down barriers, while twinning arrangements I myself have not yet had the privilege of 21st century and beyond. such as ours will play a vital role in this. visiting Loches but, like many, I was able to Looking out of the window of the Council As ever, I welcome hearing from you on gain a flavour of the place from an exhibition Chamber of the Town Hall during the Civic any matter at: [email protected] or at of paintings and photographs held over the Reception we could see the tower of Holy 01334 478 584. summer in the Byre Theatre. Indeed, one of Trinity Church, the stones of which were laid dum spiro spero

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This warm tribute was submitted by John Gunstone, who wishes to thank family members, Elspeth Wallace and Elizabeth Riches for contributions Eleanor Eineen Gunstone (née Hill): 9 September 1926 – 7 July 2018

Eleanor was born in Liverpool, the only child of Sydney John Hill, and and Fife Council from 1986 till Florence Eleanor Hill (née Mylchreest – a name of Manx origin, that 2007. Following her retirement has been handed down as a middle name to one of her sons, and one as a Councillor she continued of her grandsons). Eleanor’s father and mother were a printer and a to be involved with the Liberal bookkeeper respectively. She grew up with her parents in Loreburn Democrats as Treasurer, then as Road, Liverpool – with her maternal grandparents, Ma and Pa, next door Honorary President. She made – and her paternal grandparents, Granny and Grandpa, not far away in sure she met the new prospective West Kirby. parliamentary candidate in June of She attended Mosspits Lane Infant School, Dovedale Road Junior this year. School, and the newly-built Childwall Valley High School, where she was In parallel with work and head girl in her final year. In recent years Eleanor made copious notes family life, Eleanor gave an about growing up in Liverpool, including memories of holidays in the Isle immense amount of time of Man, engagement in the Girl Guide movement, the opening of the to Scottish Athletics, Cross Mersey Tunnel, air raids and evacuation from Liverpool during the war, Country, and Road Running. and attendance at both Sunday School and youth club at Elm Hall Drive Her involvement started when Methodist Church – to mention just a few. Penny showed promise in After leaving school Eleanor went to Liverpool University to study middle distance and endurance maths and science, but was unable to complete her course due, in large running. Along with others, part, to the huge numbers of young men returning from the war being she was instrumental in prioritised for university places. She subsequently had a number of jobs, establishing an athletics club in Eleanor including working in a pharmaceuticals manufacturer’s laboratory, in a St Andrews in the early 1970s, privately-owned analytical laboratory, for British Airways at Speke (now which eventually became Fife AC. Over the following decades she John Lennon) Airport, and as a receptionist in a pen factory, where she was heavily involved in the governing bodies of both Women’s Track made birthday announcements and played ‘music while you work’ over and Field, Cross Country, and Road Running, holding posts including the loudspeakers. Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer; Eleanor had met Frank Gunstone while she was also a representative on the British playing tennis at the church youth club. Amateur Athletic Board. When the Scottish They were married on 20 March 1948, then In 2014 Eleanor was presented with Athletic Federation was formed Eleanor was moved to Glasgow, where Frank had been a an award by UK Athletics recognising appointed Convenor of the Road Running and university lecturer for about 18 months. They her 40 years of service to the sport Cross Country Commission, and she set up had two sons, Douglas, and John, while living a trust to ensure that money went directly to in Glasgow, before moving to St Andrews in women’s endurance running. She continued 1954, where the family was completed in 1958 to officiate at events well into her eighties, with the birth of a daughter (Penny). Eleanor was a stay-at-home mum including at cross-country races in freezing conditions. In 2014 Eleanor until 1966, when she deployed her earlier scientific training, gaining was presented with an award by UK Athletics recognising her 40 years employment as a histologist in St Andrews University’s Gatty Marine of service to the sport. In the same year she was thrilled to be selected Laboratory. to take part in the Queen’s Baton Relay in the run up to the Glasgow Around this time she also took her first foray into politics, being Commonwealth Games. elected to St Andrews’ town council, where she was an avid, if Eleanor died on 7 July 2018 at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, following unsuccessful campaigner for an indoor swimming pool. It was 1988 a short illness. She is survived by her husband of over 70 years, before the East Sands Leisure Centre was opened. Her interest in Professor Frank Gunstone, three children, ten grandchildren and eleven politics continued throughout her life. She went on to serve as a great grandchildren. Liberal, then Liberal Democrat Councillor on Fife Regional Council (Photo courtesy John Gunstone)

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Gabriele Keenaghan, 92 this November, tells her personal story on the occasion of The 80th Anniversary of the Kindertransport 1938-1939 (September)

The events of “Kristallnacht” on 9-10 November closed and we were completely separated long journey. They had prepared a veritable 1938 rang alarm bells in many countries. from our families. As the train drew out of the feast, set out on the platform. We were allowed The Nazis went on the rampage in all major station in Vienna I saw my grandmother’s last to leave the train and help ourselves to the cities occupied by Germany, vandalising wave and a thrown kiss. I food and drink, which was Jewish homes, businesses, and burning remember feeling lost and plentiful!! Many Dutch synagogues. In response, the British Jewish abandoned. people were able to speak Refugee Committee, together with many The journey seemed German and they tried hard other organisations, appealed to Members of endless, the train appeared to console us, especially Parliament; a debate was held in the House of to stop at almost every the younger children, who Commons. The government agreed to allow station as we travelled by this time showed a great an unspecified number of children under the through Austria and deal of distress. I was quite age of 17 to enter the United Kingdom. A £50 Germany. At each station sad when the train once bond was required for each child to secure Gestapo guards left the again continued its journey their resettlement, and to enable them to rejoin train, while others got through Holland. their parents when the crisis was over. The first on, again and again our On reaching the Hook Kindertransport arrived at Harwich from Berlin labels were checked of Holland we left the on 2 December 1938, bringing 200 children against their lists. Some train and embarked on a from a Jewish orphanage, which had been suitcases were opened ship, taking us across the burned by the Nazis on Kristallnacht. and searched. I was lucky English Channel to our new It was April 1939, as I stood on the station mine escaped the search, country of residence and platform, in Vienna, a little girl twelve-and- for my grandmother had safety – England! a-half years old, whose grandmother had added envelopes, writing The ship docked in heard about the Kindertransport, and after the pad and pen, underneath Harwich and we were disappearance of my Father, was determined my clothing, which was led down the gangway to help me escape the same fate. The train not permitted!! The age to where there was a was due to leave Vienna at midnight, why range of children was Welcoming Committee midnight? Maybe the Nazis did not want people between 3 and 17 years. of representatives from to know that they were responsible for children The younger children were various organisations. I having to leave the country of their birth and tired and frightened, as was met by a lady from leave their families, to seek refuge in a foreign indeed we all were, but the Catholic Committee land – a land among strangers, who spoke a we tried to be brave and for Refugees. She looked different language, but who were goodhearted, comfort them to the best kind and friendly, but willing to give them a home and safety from of our ability. Some of the Gabriele Keenaghan, unfortunately I was unable Nazi persecution. younger children did have as she is today to communicate with There were nearly as many officials, older siblings able to look her, she could not speak namely Gestapo in their black uniforms, on the after them. German and I could not speak English, we station that night as there were children. Each We had travelled about twelve hours when had to resort to sign and body language. Once child wore a label showing name and number, once again the train came to a halt and all again we boarded a train to take us to the final and we were constantly the Gestapo left. The destination of Liverpool Street Station, London. checked against the It was April 1939, as I stood on the Dutch border had been Now we had to say good-bye to our travel lists they held; people station platform, in Vienna, a little reached, we were now companions, we were separated and sent to were warned that in Holland, still a free different places in the United Kingdom, where there were to be NO girl twelve-and-a-half years old, country not under Nazi we would hopefully find a home and safety. EMOTIONAL SCENES!! whose grandmother had heard occupation. The Dutch Today you will find a beautiful memorial We were allowed to about the Kindertransport people were expecting outside Liverpool Street station, to remind us carry one suitcase us; Kindertransport that 10,000 refugee children arrived there, containing our clothes, and one soft toy, that trains had crossed the border at this point between December 1938 and September order was to be strictly adhered to, as anything previously, from other European cities already 1939, and were given a safe haven with the else would be taken from us. occupied by Germany. The Dutch knew that promise of a secure future. Midnight approached. We were ordered the Nazis did not provide any refreshments, we to board the train, the doors and windows would certainly be hungry and thirsty after our (Photo courtesy Gabriele Keenaghan)

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George Phillips reminisces about his Uncle Charles

Some of our readers will remember the 1951 film, “The Desert Fox: Before he went off to war Charles had a penny cut in two. He The Story of Rommel’’, starring James Mason as Erwin Rommel, the kept one piece and, as I was told, the other part was left with me. The distinguished German Field Marshal of World War Two. Before the superstitious hope was that he would survive the war, when the two credits at the start of the film, there is a brief prologue featuring the pieces of the coin could be reunited. I never discussed this matter with attack in November 1941 by British commandos, mainly from the No 11 Charles. I was born in 1938, too young to worry about these things (Scottish) Unit, who were attempting to kidnap or assassinate Rommel that happened in 1941. But how my poor Auntie Cathy suffered for at his presumed headquarters near Beda Littoria, 18 miles inland from several weeks, knowing that Charles had gone missing, but not knowing Apollonia, in Libya. In fact, Rommel was elsewhere; he was not even in whether he was still alive. In the end there was great rejoicing in my Libya during the period of the raid. So the mission was doomed to fail. family when Auntie got the good news that Charles was alive, but My Uncle Charles Nicol was one of the commandos on this mission. interned in a POW camp. I always assumed that he was about the same age as his wife, my In his youth Charles was brought up in Aberdeenshire. Initially he mother’s sister Cathy, who was born in 1905. Charles’ great nephew worked on a farm. One day a friend suggested that they should seek Mark Nicol (whom I have never met) states online to enlist in the army. In due course Charles that Charles died in 1985. Auntie Cathy died in was accepted, but, ironically, his friend was 1972; although I attended both her funeral and rejected. Charlie served in Palestine, and that of Uncle Charles, I cannot remember the He was such a gentle man, on the Khyber Pass. He then returned to year of his death. not what I would have Aberdeen and married Cathy. Their only child, The 59 commandos on this mission my cousin Elizabeth, was born in 1940. When were transported to Libya in two submarines, expected of a commando the war started, former soldiers like Uncle HMS Talisman and HMS Torbay, sailing from Charles were among the first to be recruited, Alexandria. The raid to get Rommel was part of and soon he was training to be a commando. a mission, called Operation Flipper, involving three other objectives. He was such a gentle man, not what I would have expected of a However, because of bad weather only 34 commandos were able to commando. When we were young my brother Bill and I said to him, “Did land; consequently one of the four objectives was cancelled. you ever kill anyone, Uncle Charles?’’ He just smiled and gave us no Operation Flipper was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Laycock, reply. My father said he could never get Charles to speak of his army who was aided by Lieutenant-Colonel Geoffrey Keyes. After going experiences. ashore, two groups went off to carry out the planned missions. The I vaguely remember the family’s excitement when Charles returned one going after Rommel was led by Keyes, with 20 men. Lieutenant- after the war. As I was told later, he was skeletally thin. Despite all he Colonel Laycock and two others, including Charles Nicol, remained had done for his country, he couldn’t get a job. However, in time he got at the landing point to maintain possession of the beach, in readiness a labouring job, then got into the Post Office, where he later became a for the return of their two groups of colleagues. Alas, Geoffrey Keyes sorter. He worked for the Post Office until his retirement. Because of his was killed in the attack on Rommel’s presumed headquarters. He was ginger hair, he was known as “Ginger’’ Nicol, a term that was still used subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross. The British commandos were even when his hair turned white. He was very strong; one of his tricks supposed to be taken away by the submarines that brought them to was to lift a kitchen chair, picking it up by holding the bottom of one of its Libya. However, bad weather prevented this and they dispersed, hoping legs. If you try to do this, you will find that it is a very difficult thing to do. to avoid being apprehended. After my mother died Auntie Cathy was like a second mother to As Uncle Charles told me, they managed to live off the land, me, although I was grown up. Indeed, Charles and Cathy were both evading capture for some time. A few actually did avoid being captured, an important part of my early years. Cathy came down from Aberdeen including Colonel Laycock, whom my uncle helped to break out from the to attend my PhD graduation ceremony at St Andrews. I took Charles’ beach. Most of the commandos, including Charles, were captured by goodness for granted all those years ago. Now I think gratefully of how Italian forces. As Charles said to me, “We managed to escape from the kind he was to me, someone who has undeservedly had a much easier Italians, but were later captured by the Germans. We knew we wouldn’t life than he had. get away from them!’’ Charles spent the rest of the war in Prisoner of War (POW) camps.

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John Matthews demonstrates that It’s not just women who multitask!

A true Scot, John Matthews is a rather self- 1987 he was awarded an OBE for “services to In succeeding effacing man. It is only gradually that his commerce and the community in Brazil.” At the years, John was many, often simultaneous, contributions to the investiture, he finally had his chance to speak at various times community become clear. to the Queen! Although proud to have received Finance Convener John was born in Edinburgh. Subsequently, this award, he insists that it reflects the efforts and Chairman of when living and working in England or of many of his colleagues, that its nickname, the St Andrews overseas, he described himself as a British “Other Buggers’ Efforts”, is absolutely accurate! Preservation Trust, Scot, never English. “It’s just a question of ICI organised a great family lunch at the President of the After accuracy”, he would explain, “besides, I am company’s headquarters, which was visited by Many Days Club (the John Matthews proud to be both British and Scottish”. the Chairman, Sir Denys Henderson, to offer oldest Alumnus Club Moving South with his family, John went his congratulations. “It was things like that, I of the University) and, as he still is, a Trustee of to school in Birmingham, then on their return think, that made ICI something of a worldwide the Kate Kennedy Trust. “Foolishly”, he says, to Scotland, at Bell-Baxter in Cupar. He family.” “I was also persuaded to become a member of started his university studies at University “I had a super time in Brazil, thoroughly the St Andrews Town Commission on Housing, College, Dundee, then part of the University of fascinating, well rewarded, with very, very a job with four marvellous colleagues, but St Andrews. A year later, as a member of the nice people.” The stark social divisions in the which involved bloody hard work month after University Officers Training Corps (OTC) he country were all too obvious as John was month!” was in the guard of honour when the Queen driven home through chaotic traffic, past one As if all this was not enough to keep re-named the Dundee outpost, “Queen’s of the many favellas (shanty towns). These him occupied, John was remarkably also a College in the University of St Andrews”. John’s days, he understands, the traffic is even Governor of the British Federation of Women memory of that day in 1955 was of damp more impossible, while the very rich travel by Graduates Charitable Foundation, and its weather, with much time being spent “polishing helicopter to avoid the gridlock. Chairman for three years, roles in which my shoes, whitening After 10 years, both Daphne had preceded him. my spats and combing John and ICI felt that Finally, or almost finally, John has been my sporran.” He did not he had been in Brazil active in the St Andrews-Loches Alliance for speak to the Queen on I am grateful for all the long enough. He was many years, its Chairman in recent years. As that occasion! offered, and accepted, he says, “I was in the right place at the right He graduated with marvellous people I have early retirement. After a time when the Community Council voted to honours in chemistry met and worked with all over few months in London, twin with Loches. Many of my colleagues had then, after a short and John and Daphne worked so hard over many years – I deserve unsuccessful venture the world, but especially felt that they should little or no credit for the eventual success. I into academic research, here in St Andrews move nearer John’s am delighted to see the new twinning signs joined Imperial mother, who lived in on all the roads entering St Andrews, and Chemical Industries Crail; so they moved to congratulate the Community Council on the (ICI) as a Commercial St Andrews. splendid new “Royal Burgh” signs – they Assistant. His degree, he believes, helped him 1993 saw the beginning of what was to look fabulous.” John remains on the Alliance “to work in a scientifically-based industry and become a busy “retirement”, when John joined committee. He is also a member of the Vestry understand a reasonable amount of what the the Fife Children’s Panel. The following year, at Saint Andrew’s Church. real experts were saying. This might have been he was elected to the University Court (where He comments, “I have no major regrets more difficult had I been an Arts graduate.” In he was to serve for eleven years). He was also that I wish to admit; I am grateful for all the the early years he acquired a sound grounding invited to become a Director of the Association marvellous people I have met and worked in many aspects of business, getting to grips for International Cancer Research (AICR), now with all over the world, but especially here in with competition, while learning some of the Worldwide Cancer Research, serving for twenty St Andrews.” He still enjoys travelling, likes skills of negotiation. At least, fixed currency years, thirteen as Chairman. cooking (sometimes successfully) and loves rates made life a little easier, with one (old) A legacy of his time in the OTC and to read. The garden, however, is getting a bit penny equal to one US cent for many years. subsequently in the Territorial Army, in 1997 challenging! “Maybe” he thinks, “it’s time to John married Daphne in 1964 – “The John was elected Treasurer of the Tayforth take things a bit easier.” best thing I ever did. I am a very lucky man!” UOTC Regimental Association, a post from Unique John Matthews, what would we do Work took them to live briefly in France, then which he resigned only last year. In the same without you? for two years in the USA, and in 1979, with year, he became a Trustee of the May Wong their three sons, to Sao Paulo, where he had Smith Trust (a grant and award giving charity), (Photo courtesy John Matthews) been appointed President of ICI Brazil. In a role he still fulfills.

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Ken Paterson, ‘Lest We Forget’

There are war memorials in villages, towns, Overseas Expeditionary Force. He became a Corporal in the 54th and cities. Some are small and simple with Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He was awarded the Military Medal for his only a few names, while others are large coolness and gallantry during an attack in the Somme sector of France and elaborate commemorating thousands on 18 November 1916. Corporal Christison was killed on 1st March who died during a particular conflict. Some 1917. He is buried in La Chaudière Military Cemetery, Vimy, France, and fourteen years ago I began to research the is also commemorated on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial. names on the war memorials that I have RAF Bomber Command lost 55,000 aircrew during the Second World Ken Paterson a connection with, beginning with the one War, all of whom were volunteers. John Horsburgh Wilson was born in the village in Leicestershire, where I on 12 September 1915 in Dairsie, the son of David and Mabel Wilson. live. Since then there have been a further ten, including that of Madras He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and became a Pilot College, where I was a pupil from 1961 to 1964. Officer with 207 Squadron based at Spilsby in Lincolnshire. On the night The St Andrews War Memorial was unveiled on 23 September 1922 of 4 July 1944 he was the pilot of Lancaster LM125 (EM-G) that took off by Field Marshall The Earl Haig. It commemorates the 184 men who died on an operation to attack the V-1 flying bomb storage depot at St Leu during the Great War, and the 102 men that lost their lives in the Second d’Esserent in France. The Lancaster crashed north-east of Chantilly in World War. the early hours of 5 July, the crew of seven killed. They are buried in Many of the men commemorated on the Creil Communal Cemetery, France. Pilot memorial have no known graves. Among This year Remembrance Sunday Officer Horsburgh is also commemorated them is John Murray Anderson, born on on the Scottish National War Memorial Roll 28 December 1883 at 141 South Street, falls on 11 November, one of Honour, and on the Madras College War St Andrews, the son of James and Jane hundred years since the end of Memorial 1939-1945. Anderson. He was serving as a Private in A number of casualties died while the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders on the First World War prisoners of war. James Wann Douglas was 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of born on 19 September 1909 in Leuchars, the the Somme. The Seaforths left their front line trench at 9.00am and son of David and Margaret Douglas. He served as a Gunner in the 155th advanced in the face of heavy machine-gun fire directed from the village (The Lancashire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, and was of Beaumont Hamel. The fighting was intense throughout the day, but captured by the Japanese after the surrender of Singapore in February at 5.15pm, after reaching the trenches behind the German front line, 1942. He was among the men who arrived at Kinkaseki Prisoner-of-War the Seaforths were ordered to withdraw. They did so throughout the Camp, Taiwan, in November 1942, after a journey of some three weeks rest of the day, including the hours of darkness. It was not until 1.00am on the hell-ship England Maru. The prisoners were forced to work in a on 2 July that the last of the survivors returned to the British front line. copper mine, where conditions were as bad, if not worse, than those The Seaforth’s losses were very heavy, with 72 killed, 262 wounded, 54 experienced on the Death Railway in Burma and Thailand. In 1946 the missing. Private Anderson’s body was not found for burial; he is one of body of Gunner Douglas was brought back for burial in Sai Wan War the 72,000 men commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France. He Cemetery, Hong Kong, Grave VI M 3. He is also commemorated on the is also commemorated on the Scottish National War Memorial Roll of Scottish National War Memorial Roll of Honour. Honour. This year Remembrance Sunday falls on 11 November, one hundred A number of men from St Andrews emigrated to Canada, or Australia, years since the end of the First World War. I shall be attending the and returned during the First World War. John Brown Christison was born service at my village war memorial, and I know that many will mark the on 18 April 1878, at 35 South Street, St Andrews, the son of Hugh and occasion at the War Memorial in St Andrews. Mary Christison. He went to Canada, where he worked as a shoemaker, and volunteered on 1st September 1915 to serve with the Canadian (Photo courtesy Ken Paterson)

Gordon Jarvie Cairngorm Seedlings For Dr David Hall

Once upon an autumn day, they were three tiny seedlings, carried down the track from Whitehaugh – Glen Clova Forest way. Thinking ahead about their welfare I shouldered a wee poly bag of gritty soil.

Just as well. It was to be the last hill walk, followed by a final homeward drive. The year? 2008, a real annus horribilis, eyesight, hindsight, balance sore impeded. But those three seedlings were well seeded.

A simple pleasure now is noting sheer survival ten winters since that long-remembered day. Those ‘bonsai’ plants of pine, larch, yew, all flourish still – albeit still too small to emit much smell of damp, snug, montane grit in mossy pots of clay. (Photo by Peter Adamson)

8 FEATURES

Michael Buchanan Discovering Albany For All

Earlier I penned musings on the Dukedom has an Albany Aisle. Related words are: Alba, a vacancy of 337 years, and decades of of Albany (in Issue 88), in relation to and Albania. genealogical enquiry, a new claim to the speculation on a new title for Prince Harry. Recently, I acquired for a fiver an Buchanan title has recently been recognised, Alas, he became the Duke of Sussex around unused, chromium-plated Albany toilet-roll one John Michael Baillie-Hamilton the time of his marriage on 9 May 2018. In holder, made in Manchester, England – Buchanan.” childhood, his wife may have dreamed of ‘nough said! The future of the suspended Dukedom becoming a Princess, but she had to settle Luckily, ‘Albany’ will soon be rescued. of Albany may be determined in the fullness on being a Duchess. The rebuild of the University’s MUSA will of time. Could Princes George and Louis After cursory searches of gazeteers create a big, new space to become Rothesay and and street atlases, I noted that the name be called ‘Albany Gallery’. Albany? ‘Albany’ pops up all over the place. There My Clan’s ego has been I would be pleased had been about a dozen Dukes of Albany flattered recently by the The rebuild of the to know of other Albanys, over some 550 years up to 1919, when it was redevelopment of Buchanan a chance for readers suspended. Wharf, in Glasgow, and by University’s MUSA to take part in a crowd- Albany is the capital of New York State. a new Buchanan Tower will create a big, new finding, rather than a In northern Canada, the Albany River flows in London’s Greenwich, crowd-funding. Let us into James Bay, part of Hudson’s Bay. In named to recall a hook-up space to be called advance knowledge of the Australia, south of Perth, Albany faces between Queen Victoria ‘Albany Gallery’ Albany ‘Bubble’ as a joint towards Antarctica. and President (1857- enterprise. Shakespeare’s In London, there is a score of Albany 1861) James Buchanan King Lear opens with Streets, mostly in the outer suburbs. of the USA, ex-American these words: “I thought St Andrews has Albany Place, Albany Park, Ambassador in London. “Trump Tower’ the King had more affected the Duke of and the Albany Hotel. Other Scottish towns is so yesterday! The Daily Telegraph of 9 Albany than Cornwall!” Amen to that! with an Albany include Dundee, Dunfermline, September 2018 reported that: “The 15th Lanark, and Oban. In Edinburgh, St Giles chief of Clan Buchanan died in 1681. After

Out of Focus

9 FEATURES: REVIEWS Christmas Book Recommendations

I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree – The Magical Unicorn Society: A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year: National Trust Official Handbook Illustrated by Fran Preston-Gannon By Selwyn E. Phipps, Harry and Zanna Goldhawk Age: 7+ (Papio Goldhawk, Helen Dardik, Jonny Leighton) Age: 8+ I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree: A Nature Poem For Every Day Of The Year, named after After centuries of mystery, the mythical Magical the first line of Judith Nicholls’ poem ‘Windsong’, Unicorn Society has published its official is a lavishly illustrated collection of 366 nature handbook. These learned lovers of unicorns have poems – one for every day of the year, including created a treasure chest of unicorn lore – facts, leap years. Filled with familiar favourites and fiction, the where, why and what of these elusive new discoveries, written by a wide variety of beasts. This is the ultimate gift for anyone who truly poets, including John Agard, William Blake, believes. Emily Bronte, Charles Causley, Walter de la With breathtaking artwork from Helen Dardik and Harry and Zanna Mare, Emily Dickinson, Carol Ann Duffy, Eleanor Goldhawk (Papio Press), and stunning design and production, this Farjeon, Robert Frost, Thomas Hardy, Roger McGough, Christina special book gallops through a history of these mythical creatures and Rossetti, William Shakespeare, John Updike, William Wordsworth and looks at their magical future. many more, this is the perfect book for children (and grown-ups!) to share at the beginning or the end of the day, or just to dip into. Snow in the Garden, A First Book of Christmas Oi Duck-billed Platypus By Shirley Hughes By Kes Gray (Limited number of Signed copies will Age: 4+ be available) A brilliantly funny, rhyming read-aloud picture A classic collection of festive poems, stories book; jam-packed with animals and silliness! and activities by Kate Greenaway-winning From the bestselling, multi-award-winning author, Shirley Hughes. This beautiful creators of Oi Frog! Oi! Where are duck- Christmas anthology contains winter billed platypuses meant to sit? Kookaburras, adventures, seasonal poems, festive recipes hippopotamuses, and all the other animals with and easy-to-make craft activities as well as Shirley Hughes’ trademark impossible-to-rhyme-with names... Over to you warm and classic illustrations. Whether reading stories and poems to Frog! The laughter never ends with Oi Frog, little ones or encouraging them to make beautiful crafts and Christmas and Friends Praise for Oi Frog! treats, this book is the perfect introduction to this very special time of year. The Legend of Kevin: A Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure Maps of the United Kingdom By Philipp Reeve, Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre (We will have a limited number of Fife prints Age: 8+ to go with this book) Max is a young boy living in an ordinary tower block. By Rachel Dixon, Livi Gosling He longs for adventure in his life – then one day – Take a tour of the United Kingdom as you’ve never DOOF! – a flying pony called Kevin crashes into his seen it before in this fully illustrated set of county flat, blown in by a magical storm! The storm causes maps. Travel through England, Northern Ireland, a huge flood and soon Max’s town is submerged Scotland and Wales and meet the incredible by water. Luckily, Max has a flying pony to come to people born there, learn about its proud history, the rescue, and luckily for Kevin, he has a new best and discover ancient castles, modern feats of friend, with a constant supply of his favourite thing engineering and natural highlights while you revel in the nation’s – biscuits. curiosities, from the spectacular, to the quirky, to the downright strange! Together Max and Kevin will embark on many A fabulous introduction to Shakespeare’s Sceptre Isle, for readers wild adventures together . . . young and old. This is the start of a hilarious new series brought to you by the creative and inspiring duo Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre, packed with amazing two-colour illustrations.

10 FEATURES: REVIEWS

Garry MacKenzie reviews Out and About Poetry, Mainly from the East Neuk, Fife By Gordon Jarvie Published by Harpercroft Books 2018, price, £6.95.

With its old stone harbours and cold winds of a cygnet rescued from Morrison’s carpark, the subject of off the North Sea, the East Neuk lends itself wrapped in a ‘grubby old towel’. ‘Walkin the Dug’, to celebration in poetry. Gordon Jarvie has Birds aren’t the only two-legged East one of several lived in Crail since 2004; his poems about Neukers in the book. There’s a hurdy- Scots poems, and local landscapes, bird life, and well-kent gurdy man playing his barrel organ at the memorably titled, ‘On the Wisdom of faces have been published in numerous Anstruther Harbour, and a trio of Jack- Acquiring a Dog at Seventy’: magazines and newspapers, as well as in the-lads swaggering up Crail High Street, They love to interrupt you when you talk, pamphlets printed under his own imprint, moustachioed, acting like gunslingers in and rain or shine they always need their walk. Harpercroft Books. Out and About Poetry a spaghetti western, before turning into is a selection from these pamphlets, and Barnett’s bakery for scotch pies. Some of the Although many of the poems in Out and About it includes some of Gordon’s most recent most heartfelt poems collected here are those Poetry are rooted in Gordon’s own life and work. Anyone familiar with the East Neuk dedicated to friends and loved ones. There experiences, this book is an ideal souvenir will smile in recognition at the familiar sights are touching poems in memory of departed for anyone who loves St Andrews and the and sounds recorded in these friends, with others dedicated East Neuk. Life in the towns, villages, and poems. A sense of place is Birds aren’t the only to fellow poets. It includes a farming communities along the Fife coast may generated through the attention celebration of two magnificent be relatively quiet, but is nevertheless rich. paid to the natural world – the two-legged East bulls at Kinkell Farm, written The ever-changing skies and seascapes, fulmars which roost on the Neukers in the book for Glasgow’s poet laureate, the havens for bird life, and the close-knit cliffs near Crail harbour, the Jim Carruth, who is a farmer communities, make this a unique place to live. gannets trooping forth from the Bass Rock, as well as a poet. The collection ends on an Gordon Jarvie’s Out and About Poetry is a the herons which congregate near Cambo. upbeat note, with a poem commemorating the testament to the joys of living in a place where, Gordon’s encounters with birds aren’t always wedding of Gordon’s daughter. Another star of as the book’s opening poem puts it, there is as ‘poetic’ as you might expect: the poem the book is Gordon’s spaniel, Brodie; a familiar plenty of ‘room for a rhyme’. ‘Harbour Scene, St Andrews’, tells the story long-eared face on the byways of Crail, he’s

11 FEATURES: STORY TIME

Konstantin Wertelecki, (tongue in cheek!) “What to Do with Mr Tottle” *note: all characters and institutions are entirely fictional

During the few glorious months of was sad when it rained because he couldn’t He says, How could one ever attract tourists St Andrews’ last summer, when the go swimming in the sea, then asked if I would with such a hard game? If they just dug it all sun hovered unendingly in the sky and be so kind as to, instead, fill his bath with up and made it mini-sized, it would be a lot charabancs of tourists colonised the shores, seawater!’ more fun!’ hoteliers, restaurant owners, and landlords ‘And every time he comes to my place,’ Mrs Paterson shook her head whilst next scurried to and fro, beaming with exhilaration. interjected Mr Lewis, owner of the Fife Hills to her Mr Swot uttered a disapproving, ‘tsk, For, it was a recurrently proven phenomenon B&B, on South Street, ‘I have to carry my tsk, tsk’. that what kept guests pleased and comforted son’s old cot from the basement all the way ‘Yes, yes,’ thundered Mrs Strong, in St Andrews during the short summer, up to the top floor, where Mr Tottle stays. resuming control of the meeting, ‘These are would keep hosts cosy and prosperous ‘Why does Mr Tottle require a cot?’ Mrs very unusual stories. However!’, she barked, during the long winter. Strong asked, puzzled. making Miss Seekle ‘Now,’ bellowed Mrs Strong, opening the ‘For Houdini’. lightly jump in her annual St Andrews Tourist Board meeting, ‘Houdini?’ Mrs Strong chair, ‘Has Mr Tottle ‘Have we all a copy of the agenda?’ leaned forward in her what kept guests ever done anything ‘Well, I think it’s awfully silly to have one chair, ‘His dog?’ wrong?’ Those around printed out’, squeaked Mr Swot, one of the ‘His stuffed giraffe,’ pleased and comforted her sat silent, with local cheesemongers. ‘We all know what replied Mr Lewis, ‘He in St Andrews during the dumbfounded stares. we’ve come down here for!’ takes it everywhere with ‘Well’, quietly ‘Very well’, said Mrs Strong, dropping him.’ short summer, would keep proposed Mrs assertively into her seat, ‘Let us begin.’ Her ‘You see…’, Miss hosts cosy and prosperous Patterson, ‘He’s just stern eyes swept the room with a spotlight Seekle shyly added, ‘Mr a bit…strange. I don’t glare. For the past decade, the St Andrews Tottle is…is ever so fond during the long winter think there’s really a Tourist Board was very happy to report that of animals. He’s always place for him here.’ guest satisfaction ratings had been at their trying to bring bunnies The others nodded highest ever, that proprietors would only back to his room.’ furtively in agreement. At this moment, Mrs be too glad to provide guests with a most ‘Bunnies, Miss Seekle?’, bellowed Mrs Strong stood up. ‘I have heard enough’. She positive and memorable stay in St Andrews. Strong. then turned to Mr Barrach, seated next to But, when Mr Tottle swept in, the rafters ‘Yes,’ Miss Seekle replied, speaking her. ‘Mr Barrach, has Mr Tottle ever stolen would quake. faster than ever, ‘you see…as he likes his anything?’ ‘It’s…it’s not that he’s necessarily a…a room quite…quite warm, he wants to bring Mr Barrach looked at Mrs Strong, bad guest’, nervously said Miss Seekle, the bunnies inside as he has a fear that…that surprised. ‘Erm, no, never since I’ve known owner of MacCallum B&B. ‘It’s just that they’ll catch a cold if they stay out at night.’ him.’ he’s…well…a bit excitable,’ she finished with ‘…catch a cold?’ quietly echoed Mrs ‘Mrs Patterson’, Mrs Strong called, ‘Has a shy smile. Strong. Mr Tottle ever failed to pay his bill?’ Shifting ‘Excitable!’ roared Mr Barrach, proprietor ‘He doesn’t a-like the seagulls, though’, in her chair slightly, Mrs Patterson replied, of the Seagull Shores Hotel, ‘I have to tell blurted Mr Antionini, owner of the Italiana ‘Well, no – in fact, he’s always sure to leave a him to stop frightening the guests every time Café, ‘Every time those-a birds come by my generous gratuity.’ he strides into the lobby!’ outside clienti, looking to-a rob their food, Mr ‘Mr Antionini’ Mrs Strong began next, ‘Oh, but he’s just trying to…to make Tottle chases them away with ‘Oudini.’ ‘Has Mr Tottle ever slandered your business?’ himself at home’, Miss Seekle hurriedly ‘…chases them away?’ repeated Mrs ‘A-well..’, Mr Ationini began, combing replied. ‘He’s always very...quiet, once Strong in disbelief, ‘But, why is he seagull- back his hair with his fingers, ‘No. The first seated.’ watching at your café to begin with? day I open, I have one cliente, Mr Tottle. The Mr Barrach groaned, then snapped, ‘Mr. Tottle? He and ‘Oudini have next day I open, I have one-a hundred clienti, ‘He makes himself too comfortable! It’s bad cappuccinos every-a morning, replied Mr Mr Tottle’s amici.’ enough he parades in my lobby with his Antionini, ‘senza milk.’ After this, a pause filled the room. Then, zebra-stripe dressing gown, fuchsia slippers, ‘But, surely,’ began Mrs Strong, ‘Mr Tottle Mrs Strong quietly said, ‘There are many and mud mask. But, on top of that, he knows that a coffee without milk, isn’t—’ things that make St Andrews special: its harangues the taxi drivers outside!’ ‘Ha!’, roared Mr Barrach, again, ‘You stunning landscapes and architecture, its ‘Harangues, Mr Barrach?’, enquired Mrs should hear the funny things he says to me. deceptively rich culture, hosting events for Strong. He once pulled me over and asked, ‘Why poor students and flash film stars alike. ‘Yes!’, Mr Barrach replied grumpily, ‘He is the Cathedral in such disrepair!? It’s a But, most importantly, it is friendly. We are shouts at them to stop asking the guests disgrace to the town!’ friendly, to strangers, to friends, to those in personal questions like, ‘Where are you ‘Oh!’, Miss Seekle timidly squeaked, search of a home, and to those who make going today?’ never having heard the story before. here a home. Mr Tottle stays.’ ‘And, he makes the most difficult ‘The time before that’, continued, demands!’, added Mrs Paterson, proprietress Mr Barrach, rolling his eyes, ‘He was of the Pig Jig B&B. ‘During his last stay, he complaining to me about the golf course!

12 TOWN & GOWN

Megan Nicol, granddaughter of Pat Dodds, who owns the Harbour Café (see Issue 64). Volunteering

I spent 12 months volunteering in Outward Bound a lot of time with Hong Kong (OBHK) through the Scottish charity, the boat house Project Trust –‘the first charity to specialise in helping to keep the organising overseas Gap Year placements for boats up to scratch school-leavers’ (from the Trust’s website). with maintenance, Megan Nicol Throughout my year I have had the pleasure of doing things such working up close and personal with the instructors, as sanding, varnishing, painting, or just general helping them run intensive outdoor activity cleaning of the boats, also other materials that courses, ranging from 1 to 18 days. I gradually got come with the waterfront team, like the pontoon the chance to have major inputs on what and how and dragon boat equipment. Finally, working we would run the courses, meaning I could choose with operations had several parts: in one way I what activities we did and when, so we could give worked with the Programmer Coordinator (PC) to the participants the maximum learning experience do drop-offs, clean up the base, any small jobs for the outcomes that they had said they wanted needed to be done on base. But I also worked to gain from our courses. These with the operations manager on outcomes included confidence, his new Rations Project. He is self-reliance, leadership, and These outcomes hoping to change the way we so on. included confidence, do our rations, as-well as the Other than working with the food we provide in the canteen, instructors, I had the opportunity self-reliance, so I spent time researching to work with several of the leadership, and so on every ingredient we had in other departments, including our provided food to give a Fundraising, Rations, Operations, and the Boat better selection for dietary needs, such as gluten House. I spent several weeks in each, learning free, vegetarian, etc and provide healthier, more the ins and outs of what they do. With fundraising nutritious food. I worked mainly helping them prepare for events, Although I worked in most of the departments, such as the Multi Race, Adventure Race, and working with the instructors was by far my Corporate Challenge. This meant preparing props favourite, as I got to see first hand how these and moving kayaks from the store to the parking courses affected the participants and how much lot to be transported. With Rations I helped of a difference the instructors make in the short prepare the food and got it separated into baskets period they are there. I was most proud of my work ready for groups to pick up and take with them on during the disabled and educationally challenged courses, or be dropped off to said groups. I spent school that comes to OBHK every Tuesday for 8 weeks every year. However, this year they decided also to come for a 3-day course, when they camped and so on. I was able to be part of all of these opportunities. This course pushed me to adapt my ways of instructing in an attempt to engage all of the students, although they all had different ways of doing things and with different needs, such as ADHD, autism, and even Down Syndrome. It gave me the opportunity to see what was best for each and it varied very much. I loved working with these students so much that I decided to go back again in October to join the training school at OBHK, leading to a job with them next year. (Photos courtesy Megan Nicol)

13 TOWN & GOWN

Charles Stevens, third-year History student at St Andrews, chatted to Flora Selwyn about The New Silk Road Project

An enquiring mind, a strong sense of adventure, together with meticulous a lot of cultures and peoples, which planning and sharp focus, epitomise Charles Stevens, the founder of I guess has built up an intuition this unique Project, ensuring success. In 2016 Charles with a friend had towards how to act and how to cycled across Asia from Beijing to Teheran for charity. This experience react in challenging situations.” formed the impetus for the New Silk Road Project. With Tom Micklethwait Thus dealing with visas, passports, (Georgetown University), Rob Krawczyk, (just graduated from Oxford, marketing, publicity, etc held no fears. who joined in Georgia), and Will Chamberlain (in the same year as The friends set off from London Charles at St Andrews, but joined in Greece) the objective was, “…to in June this year, after meetings at get away from armchair academia and the general perception that the the Chinese Embassy, completing Charles Stevens Belt & Road Initiative is either this benign global project, or a quest for the project on 4th August in Yiwu in Eurasian domination. We wanted to escape such simplicity, achieve an Eastern China, having covered 10,000 miles through 15 countries! “We empirical understanding of some of the complexities and perspectives visited around 20 critical infrastructure projects, ports, railways, train of this initiative.” September 2018 was the 5th anniversary of the Belt & terminals, residential developments. These are some of the hubs which Road Initiative, “so it’s a very fitting time to be are bringing greater overland connectivity to looking at this.” Eurasia.” Interviews were held with key people: A full year of planning was undertaken. “to truly understand this business leaders, academics, a couple of The Project was sponsored by Jeep, providing initiative you have to assess it government institutes, strategists, members of a brand new car; the Center for Strategic & think tanks. Did the team have any problems International Studies (CSIS); Silk Road Briefing; on a country-to-country basis” with languages? Charles found many English Magellan Capital; the University of St Andrews; speakers, though some had only a smattering the mapmaker ZeroSixZero , leaving only a few other expenses for the of the language. But Tom speaks Russian, Will speaks Persian, while team, money which was earned in summer jobs. Charles, as a child, China provided interpreters. People, Charles found, were curious about had travelled widely with his family; his mother is a professional sailor, them rather than suspicious. He believes they had no problems because, ”moving boats around”, while his father, a dermatologist, also loves “we followed all the rules.” The team was careful to dress formally in travelling. So Charles says, “I’ve been lucky to have been exposed to suits for all their meetings, and they brought small gifts from the UK out of gratitude. They were also lucky, in that their car broke down only once at Trabzon, on the Black Sea coast – Jeep sent out engineers to fix it within the hour! On one other occasion a drunk driver ran into the back of their car in Almaty, Kazakhstan. His car was crumpled, but the jeep was unscathed! Here, in the next four to six weeks, Charles will be busy editing the dozens of interviews they undertook, writing and publishing reports, maybe giving the odd lecture, “I’ve always liked being very busy.” He also plans to go to the United States in January to interview more people, “to build the most geographically comprehensive and authoritative interview series on this topic to date.” After that, he wants to concentrate on his formal studies to earn a good degree. What conclusions has Charles drawn from this research project? The Belt & Road Initiative is taking place a long way away, but Charles is certain that such global developments will potentially affect Britain, “or have implications for the UK in the future.” For instance, China is investing in many key ports, such as Piraeus in Greece, through which Chinese goods will be transported to a significant portion of Europe. Infrastructure investments underpin the Initiative, along with trade, educational partnerships, policy, and financial integration. Apart from financing road building and other infrastructure using local and Chinese workmen, China is also increasing educational partnerships across Eurasia. Charles and his team found enthusiasm for the Initiative Jeep Wrangler Rubicon handover amongst the business community, but growing suspicion and resentment

Road into Anaklia Makat-Aktobe Road

14 TOWN & GOWN

Beijing to Tehran Charity Cycle – Pamir Mountains from other interest groups. He recalls that Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan last year cancelled $20 billion of hydroelectric projects, “to truly understand this initiative you have to assess it on a country-to-country basis.” Also questioned in some places has been the quality of Chinese construction work; Charles cites a highway project in Poland that was, “a disaster.” The question arises, is the Initiative all about finance, or is it all to do with geo-politics, Chinese foreign policy? Taken together with China’s activities in the South China Sea it is open to wonder about China’s global strategy, if indeed there is one. Charles believes, “that China’s Belt and Road Initiative is a regional project, but one with global implications for the values, institutions and beliefs currently leading the international system.” Charles has found that China, by lending money to countries ignored by the EU, such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, is building closer relationships across Asia. On a personal note, Charles states, “I always try to be open minded and sensitive to the people, the places, and the environment in general…I think this attitude has made me aware of some of the astonishing complexity in the world.” Charles and his team have shed a significant light upon what is going on in Asia. They deserve all our thanks, as well as those of our government. Such remarkable enterprise by students of our University is to be cherished and given full honour.

(Photos courtesy the New Silk Road Project) Old Silk Road Hassua

With the British Ambassador to Krygyzstan Tracking Map

15 TOWN & GOWN John Cameron’s Column

A century ago, as little doubt that the general air of seriousness over 50 per cent. They mobilized early in St Andrews University in wartime Scotland increased the intensity of the war, then saw the longest and bloodiest prepared to re-open scientific research and student commitment periods of fighting. after the summer to study. Most became junior officers, leading vacation, the Great In accordance with Britain’s military from the front, putting themselves in danger War was finally alliances, the close, centuries-old relationship in hope of achieving the nation’s goals. The drawing to a close. between St Andrews and the great German mortality rate for St Andrews students was More than half of its universities was broken, while around 20 per cent, a figure undergraduates had enlisted in the military in new ones were forged with War was cast as that amply justified references the first months of the conflict, while student America. German ties were to them in the years after the life had been transformed with young women eventually restored, but were a great manly war as “the lost generation”. replacing male students, and voluntary war never the same. Graduates adventure Sadly, just as everyone work replacing organized sport. who would have routinely hoped things were getting back Declining revenue from student fees, plus progressed to Tübingen or Heidelberg now to normal, fate contrived one last devastating cuts in state support, meant the University headed across the Atlantic, a situation which blow. Returning soldiers brought home the had to stop acquiring new library books and continues to this day. pandemic known as Spanish flu. constructing new buildings. The expense and As with other European middle-class The first wave was comparatively mild, shortages of coal made it impossible to heat elites, St Andrews’ students were among but a second wave in late summer recorded the existing buildings to their pre-war warmth. the most spirited of Britain’s patriots, far higher fatality rates. Schools, cinemas, The wartime faculty was also greyer, having gleaned romantic ideas about war theatres, any public buildings where large older; heads of departments were less likely from reading works like the Iliad during a numbers might congregate were closed than younger teaching staff to serve in the traditional, classical education. War was down, while church attendances fell as military. The pre-war staffing situation was cast as a great manly adventure, the very people tried to avoid infection. reversed, with professors now outnumbering opposite of bourgeois complacency and In fact it was well into Michaelmas term lecturers. materialism so many despised. before St Andrews University was fully Yet while the war imposed financial Such longing for adventure explains why open for business, the town filling up with constraints and personnel shortages it also volunteer rates among our students were boisterous veterans who hadn’t expected to created new University departments, courses so high – also the fact that student mortality survive and were determined to make up for of study and areas of research. There’s also rates exceeded those of regular recruits by lost time.

Chinese & Cantonese Restaurant Sit in or takeaway

Opening Times:

Monday and Wednesday – Saturday 12.00pm – 2.30pm & 4.30pm – 11.00pm Sunday 4.30pm – late Tuesday – Closed

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

16 TOWN, GOWN, AND HOME

Professor Sally Mapstone, Principal of the University of St Andrews, Town, gown, and home: the University of St Andrews and its Strategy for 2018-23 The 2018 Annual Lecture to the St Andrews Preservation Trust

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and thank you for inviting me My research, or lecturing engagements, have been bringing me here to give the Annual Lecture of the St Andrews Preservation Trust. It since about 1982. Martin is a keen golfer and had often visited in that is a privilege to do so, and I would like to express my thanks to your capacity. We had also developed something of a habit of spending chair, Sandy Bremner, and colleagues for inviting me, also to Sandy in Christmases in St Andrews over the past 15 years. So I have seen the particular for liaising so helpfully with my office. town over a 35-year period before I arrived here. But of course, living I will speak for about 40 minutes this evening before we open up for permanently in a place is very different. questions; I am glad to have an opportunity to introduce this audience So St Andrews is our home. We still have a house outside Oxford, in particular to the new University of St Andrews Strategy, which is very but we are renting that out as St Andrews is absolutely our base. close to completion. This Strategic Plan will address the direction the We appreciate also that this is home to many other people, and we University will take over the coming five years. This evening I am going have much enjoyed getting to know many of the residents of the to talk about how it will support and shape our relations with the town of town, including many not immediately connected to the University. I St Andrews, and region of Fife in a constructive, sustainable manner. I appreciate, too, that everybody who lives in this small, special place has hope you will see this evening that while the Strategy very much reflects views on its character and its future, and I always value hearing those the course I am setting for the University I also am very conscious of the views. Tonight is in part an opportunity to do that. But it is also a chance important example set by the University’s former Principal and Honorary to share my way of seeing with you. President of the St Andrews Preservation Trust, Sir James Irvine, our Principal from 1921 to 1952. Gown I have been Principal of the University for just over two years. I As Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, I am unambiguously spent the majority of my academic career before that based in Oxford, gown; I have the exceptional honour of leading Scotland’s first university after an earlier career as a publisher based in London. My academic towards its exciting future. Today we are responsible for educating about speciality is Older Scots literature, so it gives me a particular pleasure 9,000 students, and I am incredibly proud of our student body. Amongst that many of the authors I have spent years working on and writing them are the best and brightest to be found not just in Scotland, but in about, such as William Dunbar and Gavin Douglas, were graduates the world, and we have an average of ten applicants for each place. We of the University of St Andrews. To be connected to them historically, are also a community of over 2,700 staff, with just over 200 professors. as I am now as Principal, is deeply rewarding. Of course my career at We are, quite rightly, a small university. The University of Oxford also involved an extensive period in the senior leadership team Manchester is the UK’s largest university with a little over 40,000 there, and that also prepared me for the job I have now. students, though Edinburgh is not far behind now with a little over Before I arrived in 2016 I had already taken the view that the 39,000 students. As I will go on to illustrate, this University, though University needed a new strategy. I spent my first year understanding small, is about the right size for the wonderful town we inhabit, our the University and the town better, reshaping my senior team, scoping students and our research. Our intention is to move towards a total the Strategy. We have spent my second year consulting on the population of 10,000 students over the next five to ten years, while there Strategy, composing it. We have produced, we believe, a plan that is are some nuances and caveats around that which I will return to later. both innovative and sensitive to the distinctive nature of this University. Today, and as we make plain in our new strategy, the University of We will be launching the Strategy at the end of this month (October) St Andrew stands for research-led teaching and enquiry, which is high following the next meeting of our University Court. I am giving you quality, distinctive, collegial. Our fundamental goals are to attract and a good preview of it here, but in keeping with our role as a global nurture the best staff and students from around the world, providing university with a strategy that is both intensely local and intensely them with an environment in which they can produce their best work for global, I will also be launching and profiling the Strategy within days of the wider benefit of society. its signing off in New York, at a meeting of our US foundation, then in The performance of St Andrews is recognised as outstanding, both Beijing, where I will be hosted by the UK ambassador, Dame Barbara nationally and internationally. In national league tables, The Guardian Woodward, who is an alumna of the University. University Guide 2019 ranks us top in Scotland and third overall in The Strategy will set our direction, at a high level, until the end of the UK, after only Oxford and Cambridge; The Times and Sunday 2023, but of course it looks beyond that too. Universities of our longevity Times Good University Guide 2019 ranks us the same; The Complete have always to plan for a considerable future. University Guide 2019 also places us top in Scotland (and 5th in the UK). Home On the global stage, in the influential QS World rankings, the I am going to start by referencing the latter part of my lecture’s title University continues to rank in the top 100 in the world; the Times right at its start. St Andrews is my home. This is where I stay, when I Higher Education World University Ranking, that evaluates more than am not travelling, where I live with my husband Martin. Our house is 1,250 universities, places us in the global 200. We are the highest University House, here on the Scores, which, with only a brief period ranked university in our size category (under 10,000 students) in the of intermission, has been the University Principal’s residence since UK. And also, according to the Times Higher Education, even though we the 1890s. The way we occupy the House is different from some of are small, we are amongst the 25 Most International Universities in the my illustrious predecessors, and quite rightly so. We have a small flat World. at the top of the House, while the remainder of the House is used for The evaluation we currently take much pleasure in is that made public receptions, meetings, dinners, and as accommodation for the of us by our own students. The National Student Survey (NSS), a University’s many guests. One wing of the House is self-contained, comprehensive analysis of the views of the UK’s student community on providing temporary accommodation for visiting scholars and other the university where they received their education, puts St Andrews first guests. Having spent the previous forty odd years in an itinerant in the UK. This is the ninth time since the survey was launched in 2005 lifestyle, which involved regular periods spent living in my Oxford that this University has been at the very top of this conspectus of the colleges, I am a completely institutionalised person. Martin has had UK’s student community. more to get used to, by way of not going downstairs to get the paper in a Our financial performance is also strong, though circumstances state of undress, and getting used to encountering people he has never are challenging. Last year the University had an income of just over seen before in the House at unexpected times of the day and night. £250 million, up 9.1% on the previous academic year. Grants received St Andrews was familiar to both of us before I came here as Principal. from the Scottish Government via the Scottish Funding Council 17 TOWN, GOWN, AND HOME represented only 15.2 per cent of our total income. During the time I while I have an extraordinary membership of the R&A, also Honorary have been here our Scottish Government funding has fallen by several Membership of the St Rule Club. We also walk the beautiful beaches per cent and continues to decline. Real terms static funding body grant together, and are distressed when the debris of parties, though may I settlements are not keeping track with cost inflation pressures, putting say not always student parties, litters them. reliance on the strength of the University to generate income from How the University relates to the town that has been its home for other sources. This is all the more important because the University so long is a fundamental aspect of the University’s new Strategy; it will of St Andrews is a university with a long history, but a very small feature prominently in the first section of that Strategy. endowment, currently c. £70 million, less than the endowment of most single Oxbridge colleges for example. As a result we run a very New Strategy tight operating surplus, and we have very little spare long-term cash. In overview, the Strategy is built on four inter-connected themes: To survive and to flourish, to continue to compete as a major global World-leading St Andrews, Diverse St Andrews, Global St Andrews, institution we have to be creative, and entrepreneurial, where it makes and Entrepreneurial St Andrews. All of these are underpinned by sense to be so, where it speaks to our nature and our values. a University Social Responsibility statement that is essential to the Tuition fee income from overseas and outwith Scotland delivery of the Strategy. undergraduates and postgraduates is an important aspect of that, currently constituting just over £100 million of our income (remember we Social Responsibility do not get tuition fee income from Scottish undergraduates or currently The Social Responsibility statement comes very early in the Strategy, EU undergraduates). So is research. We have had an incredibly but it should be seen as enclosing the rest of the Strategy itself, and, successful year for attracting competitive research funding. Research as I have indicated, this connects essentially to our relationship to awards stand at £50 million for 2017-18, an increase of almost 40% on the town of St Andrews. Social responsibility is a deep-woven thread the previous year. This is really strong progress for research funding in already running through much of what we do, but this is the first time in the current funding climate. six centuries that the University will visibly place social responsibility in This success enables us to fundraise, and a lot of my time is its plans. That is why we have made the choice to place it at the front necessarily spent on this activity. This summer we concluded the of our Strategy, not as a bolt-on at the end. To us, social responsibility University’s 600th anniversary campaign in which we had set ourselves means acting ethically, transparently, sustainably, in a spirit of mutual the target of raising £100 million, which we have achieved. £27 million cooperation and respect across all the different communities of which of that has gone into scholarships for students. But as soon as one we are part. Local community relations are given specific emphasis in campaign closes, another has quietly to start. We will not achieve this part of the Strategy, as we recognise that our day-to-day activities what we have planned for our staff, students, and estate, without very and plans for the future have a profound impact on our neighbours. significant further fundraising. Our new Strategy will also help us with Specifically, we want to ensure all project boards, planning that. discussions, and activities are ‘community-aware’. I don’t think this is Our success is great for the University. It is also great for the town quite the phrase Principal Irvine would have used, but it is a sentiment and the region. To illustrate this we regularly commission research he championed in relations with the town, it was he who formed the from Biggar Economics to calibrate the Gross Value Added figures first ‘Citizens’ Advisory Council on the Planning and Development of for what the University contributes to the local and national economy. St Andrews’, of which he was also Chairman. We want to communicate Gross Value Added, or GVA, is a measure of the monetary contribution promptly and transparently with our stakeholders and partners, listen to the University adds to the economy through our direct operations and ideas, be willing to adapt where there is evidence that we can improve the wider consequences of these. For the year 2016-17 when our our proposals and practices. We also commit to developing our cultural income was £230 million, the University added a little over £250 million, assets and activities in ways that engage our community, while also with over 4,200 jobs in St Andrews; in Fife this number reaches supporting the core mission of the University. We will consume ‘more £279.6 million and almost 5,000 jobs; in Scotland we add £410 million, of our own smoke’ – ensuring wherever possible that the provision with almost 7,000 jobs. of services to students and staff has a wider positive impact on the For every £1 of public money received from the Scottish Funding broader population of St Andrews, especially the provision of new Council, the University was able to leverage almost another £5 from student accommodation to lessen the demand on private housing in other sources, having an impact on the economy overall of £12. St Andrews and North-East Fife. For every one person employed directly by the University, almost 3 This part of the Strategy also sets out that we expect that our staff further Scottish jobs were supported. The figures are going in the and students will at all times observe a culture of tolerance, respect, right direction. The economic impact of the University on the Scottish and courtesy towards each other and the people of this town. We economy has been up by over £50 million between 2014/15 and encourage in our students and staff a culture of civic engagement 2016/17, an increase of 12%. and volunteering. Let me add here that we have much to build on. All of us can be proud of the economic engine the University Last year our students’ charities campaign raised £87,000, with Save provides. To sustain, and I hope enhance this engine, the University will the Children, the Scottish Refugee Council, and Families First all need to keep evolving. I hope to convey to you that our plans for this benefitting from the proceeds. We were nominated for the National evolution are responsible and well anchored. The fact that we are simply Student Fundraising Group of the Year for 2018. Of the 160+ student so important to the economic prosperity of this town and our region does societies affiliated with our Students’ Association most partake in not give us, in my strong view, any sense of entitlement. We are part of fundraising events or activities throughout the year. We also have a community, part of the town’s history. But we do want that community over 600 student volunteers volunteering locally and internationally. to recognise and appreciate the significance of what we contribute and I am particularly impressed by the role our students, alongside our what is involved in crafting that contribution. researchers, play in supporting Dementia Friendly St Andrews; together as Town and Gown we are becoming a case study for community- Town based innovation in this vital area. Turning now to the town, again from a personal perspective, this is a With regard to the local environment, we have committed in place that I experience as someone who lives here. Martin and I shop in the Strategy vigorously to pursue a programme of carbon reduction St Andrews, on occasion we try to find Saturday night reservations in its projects across our University estate, and to embed a culture of deep- restaurants! We enjoy going to events at the Byre, or the Younger Hall. seated institutional commitment to sustainable practice and policy. I We do so in the knowledge that the University now operates the Byre highlight this part of the plan to draw attention to the spirit in which the Theatre, and that when our new Laidlaw Music Centre is completed Strategy as a whole is being undertaken. This town is integral to our next year, we will have a small drama and music quarter in the centre appeal to staff and students, and to their success while here. I hope of the town, which will contribute a great deal to the cultural enrichment you likewise consider us, the University, integral to the success of of residents. In 2017-18 there were over 48,000 ticketed attendances at St Andrews overall? the Byre and other University locations, including our splendid Museum I want also to take a few minutes to introduce you briefly to the (currently closed while we build an extension to it) where, of course, other four pillars of the Strategy, World-leading St Andrews, Diverse we also offer cafés, bars, and exhibitions. I do have to point out that St Andrews, Global St Andrews, Entrepreneurial St Andrews. the Byre is not a money-making enterprise which the University has to keep its eye on, but we appreciate, and hope you appreciate, the World Leading St Andrews significant contribution it makes to the life of the town. The same can be World Leading St Andrews places emphasis on quality and excellence, said of the Sports Centre, which I know many of you benefit from, which which are hallmarks of our University. We cannot be complacent, I live in hope of visiting regularly! Martin is a member of the New Club, however; our global reputation is dependent on our commitment to 18 TOWN, GOWN, AND HOME carry our education and research at the highest levels of internationally while many of our early Masters taught and studied in universities on recognised excellence. the continent, John Knox and James Gregory amongst them. Today, our Beyond the many things we already achieve in our core academic demographic profile is highly distinctive with over 45% of our students areas, looking forward, our academic community has identified a and staff coming from outside the UK. We are proud of our international capacity and willingness to engage in five priority areas for collaborative outlook, determined to maintain and extend this element of our identity. working across disciplines. These areas will enable us to create Unlike some universities, we have no plans to open a campus platforms for our research strengths in a changing world; they are abroad in the Middle East or Asia. What we plan instead is to make Peace, Conflict, and Security; Cultural Understanding; Materials for better and more strategic use of the resources and relationships we the Modern World; Health, Infectious Disease and Wellbeing; and already have. In line with our academic priorities, the University plans Sustainability. to develop further high-quality and innovative short programmes and Despite, and perhaps because of, our relatively small size, we have summer schools in St Andrews. These programmes will draw on the scale to make significant contributions, not only to established and academic expertise from across the University, which will enable us to emerging research fields, but to exciting national priorities in areas such strengthen our international links. We will also explore how innovative as the blue economy, advanced materials, photonics, health, the digital technologies and on-line learning platforms can enhance activities. economy, and policy development. While some short courses will have an important role to play in student Again, our small size underpins excellence in education. We will recruitment, others, reflecting the changing times in which we live, will retain an approach based on small-group, high-quality teaching, with address the needs of established professionals, helping them to update partnership and dialogue between teachers and students. It makes and refresh their skills. St Andrews unique, enabling us to attract people of exceptional ability, Out of term time today a wide range of organisations make use and encourages every individual to make their mark by being the best of our student Halls of Residence; gradually, in the future it will be they can. students on our own summer, or professional, courses who will use this accommodation. The learning community of the town will become more Diverse St Andrews constant in numbers, while more diverse in profile, throughout the year. Also essential to our excellence is the diversity of people, both students and staff, we are able to attract to the University. The Diverse Entrepreneurial St Andrews St Andrews theme in the Strategy sets out a clear commitment and Universities used to be described, quite erroneously in my opinion, agenda for enhancing our diversity further. As a truly international and as isolated from the ‘real world’. Scholars from St Andrews have world-class university, our ambition is to be a beacon of inclusivity. always been part of the real world, whether that was the world of the We will achieve this through an approach that empowers our whole Church and Court, or as is more common today, business and policy. community – through a combination of deliberate steps sponsored The exceptional quality of the research carried out at the University by the University’s leadership and a determined shift in culture that means that we see further opportunities for our work to have impact. makes sure everyone is embraced, from students, academic and The Entrepreneurial St Andrews theme in the Strategy will drive a professional staff, to our alumni. Inclusivity will inform and affect policy culture shift to strengthen our engagement with industry, business and practice across the place. We do this because it is right, but also and government by increasing our capacity for innovation and value because diverse organisations work smarter, encourage innovation, and creation. maximise the creativity that is fundamental to academic excellence. At the Eden Campus at Guardbridge we have an outstanding As you may know, the University is actively engaged in national opportunity to develop a new model and facility to bring together inclusion agendas, including Scottish government initiatives on widening expertise, both internal and external, in an environment for access. I myself chair the Universities Scotland committee on widening experimentation, with the aim of promoting the development of new access across the HE sector. Widening access means making sure approaches and ideas. On this brownfield site we are creating a that people from across the social and economic spectrums in Scotland resource of exceptional long-term value to the Tay Cities region that have the support, and self-confidence, to go on to higher education, will build the foundations for a sustainable economic future in this area, where that is right for them, and that the Scottish higher education as well as, as you know, providing a biomass plant that delivers a sector as a whole is open to and supportive of a new wave of skilled, sustainable source of energy. ambitious students. The Scottish government sets targets for how many Across the University, where it is right, we want investors, industry, student places should be filled by students from adverse backgrounds and policy makers to work alongside researchers and students to at each university. St Andrews is already ahead of those targets, and we deliver the kind of innovative thinking required to assemble disruptive intend to be more ambitious. We believe that equality and excellence ideas to overcome major challenges. Opportunities will be created for are entirely compatible, so we aim to attract those who can flourish these ideas to be realised, not only with existing private and public at St Andrews from Scotland and around the world regardless of their partners, but through the formation of new companies; I want more background. of our students to develop skills in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial From the start of my principalship at St Andrews, I’ve taken an St Andrews will share the approach catalysed at Eden Campus to active approach to gender, in particular to ensuring that more women embed an innovative model of engagement across the University. Eden come through in leadership positions across the University. This work is a deep, long-sighted investment in the region, exactly the type of will continue. We will also engage with parents, carers, and part-time investment that a 600-year old institution can make and steward for staff to ensure that their career paths are treated with fairness and future generations. flexibility. We acknowledge as an institution that a priority for us in the next phase must be greater racial and ethnic diversity. We will seek Estates update to address the experience of people from black and ethnic minority As you will have noted, vital to delivering the new Strategy are our plans communities at all levels of the University, in order to make meaningful for the estate of the University, and I know our estate is of interest to interventions in respect of recruitment, representation, and curriculum this audience; I believe the Quaestor, Derek Watson spoke to you not reform. so long ago about our plans. As you know, the University essentially I am particularly glad that the University’s support of LGBTQ+ has four main areas for its estate in and outwith St Andrews: the Town is gaining recognition. We are the only Scottish university to have Centre, where most of our Arts and Social Science Schools are housed; achieved LGBT charter recognition, and have been nominated in the the North Haugh where most (but not all) of our Science Schools Public Sector Equality category for this year’s Pink News awards. are housed; the East Sands, where the Scottish Oceans Institute is Pink News is the main site for news for the LGBTQ+ community. located; the Eden Campus at Guardbridge, which currently houses the Ten members of the University, including me, will attend the awards biomass plant that is heating much of the North Haugh, where, as I ceremony in London next week – the dress code is ‘fabulous formal’. I have just mentioned, we intend to bring both business and academic firmly believe that St Andrews is a place where people should be able to activity together, onto which we will be moving several hundred of our fulfil their potential to the maximum, encouraged and supported by the professional services staff from 2019. institution, whatever they do and whoever they are. As a University, we value our past, but we never forget that to sustain excellence we must invest and evolve – in our teaching facilities, Global St Andrews in our research laboratories and libraries, in the sports and leisure The third pillar of the new University Strategy is Global St Andrews. As facilities that allow students to test themselves in a non-academic I’ve already noted, St Andrews, while a deeply Scottish university, has a arena. Principal Irvine’s practice is again useful here. Irvine supported uniquely global orientation and today is amongst the most international the exceptional heritage of this town, writing that St Andrews ‘belonged universities in the world. Our heritage is rooted in European traditions, not only to us, but to the nation’. He fundraised for and instructed on 19 TOWN, GOWN, AND HOME the renovations of Louden’s Close, as well as the Collegiate Church of Thirdly, unlike many other universities, we are actively engaged with St Salvator. During his principalship Irvine also led the construction of a local partners to manage the supply and use of housing in St Andrews series of important additions to St Andrews, including the Younger Hall. and the wider region. As said, by 2025 we plan to provide almost 5,000 Once the new Laidlaw Music Centre that I have mentioned is built, the units of student accommodation. We are also developing affordable Younger Hall, will be renovated. The Younger Hall will continue to be housing offers for our staff that will take some out of the private market shared with the local community, as was agreed by Principal Irvine with (the Grange) and are supporting plans for more housing in St Andrews, the Younger family at the time of its erection, and we all hope that you 300 units of which will be affordable housing (St Andrews West). will enjoy its refreshed facilities every bit as much as we shall. In the light of our commitment to ensuring that our students are In 2019 new state-of-the-art facilities for the Scottish Oceans securely and affordably housed and that the town’s growth is well- Institute, the University’s world-leading multidisciplinary marine research managed, the University is deeply disappointed that a zero growth and teaching centre, will open. This building will also have a facility for policy on HMOs has been put forward by the Communities and Housing public engagement enabling local people, school children, and tourists Services Committee of Fife Council. The University’s offer to support to learn more about the North Sea. We have recently completed a the establishment of a short-life working group to assemble, analyse, £14 million extension of our sports centre, creating a new eight-court and present the available evidence on housing so that we can reach sports arena, a fitness centre, four indoor tennis courts, a technical a sustainable, holistic solution was not taken up, sadly. However the climbing wall, a strength and conditioning suite. We share the use of this Committee did agree to include students in the consultation exercise facility with the community. that will take place before it takes a final decision in February 2019. Most significantly of all, during this last academic year the University For our students a limited housing stock means higher rents. As a reached an agreement with Madras College, this town’s state secondary consequence, less money to spend in town, with larger student loans. school, to repurpose and develop its central South Street home, in Higher rents also encourage students to look for property elsewhere, in return providing the school with the site in St Andrews West. When areas where families currently live, or in locations that require them to relocated to its Langlands site, Madras College School will be able to drive (and park) a car in St Andrews each day. This makes them more, offer local children an exceptional learning experience with modern rather than less, disruptive to the life of the town. For the University, classrooms and comfortable, exciting spaces for learning and sport. higher rents make it challenging for us to make a convincing competitive The eight-acre central St Andrews site taken on by the University offer to students, especially those who come from disadvantaged will create a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We plan to preserve the backgrounds. attractive listed buildings that front on South Street, and behind these Looking forward, I would like us to take a holistic, data-driven develop complementary structures that create a new hub for learning view of housing needs in St Andrews, appreciating how students and research, which will encourage our scholars to cross traditional influence it, how the University influences it, and – I think this has to be disciplinary boundaries. We envisage moving three of our major Social acknowledged perhaps more than it is – how second-home owners and Science schools to that location. retired people influence it. The Council acknowledges that singling out HMOs is not a silver bullet solution to the complex housing challenges Student Accommodation and the HMO debate faced by this town. We want a study to be undertaken of these A topic in open debate at the moment is the perceived pressure that challenges, so that well-informed, long-term proposals are developed in students are placing on housing in the town, and how increasing student partnership. numbers may change the character of St Andrews. Some points must be made clear. First, as I have said, in our Strategy we have only AVP Collections modest plans to increase student numbers and will move gradually I would like to draw the attention of the Preservation Trust to the towards 10,000 students over the next five years. The reason why we significant step forward the University has taken to engaging with the will not exceed this number is not lack of demand; as I told you in my heritage and fabric of this place through the creation of the senior post introduction we have many applicants for each place so could expand of Assistant Vice-Principal for Collections at the start of this year. This if we so wished. Nor does it reflect an apprehension about how more post is filled by Dr Katie Stevenson, a former historian at St Andrews, students might fit in this town, though we do share concerns. whom we were able to entice back from Edinburgh, where for the past Put simply, the University of St Andrews succeeds today because two years she had been Keeper of Scottish History and Archaeology at it is a small university in a small town. Our size allows us to offer National Museums Scotland. Katie is leading a rounded, strategic review something unique to our students, which they value, and to attract of the material and digital resources of the University and town that researchers of exceptional quality here from around the world. It is not engage us with our past, so that these are not only better preserved, in our own intellectual, or business interest, to grow further than we are but help us realise a richer future. She is leading on the renovations already committed. I want this to be common knowledge. The number and relaunch of MUSA, as well as evaluating how Special Collections of 10,000 has not been plucked out of thin air. It has been arrived at via can be developed as an open resource for future generations. Katie a process of detailed modelling. We know that it is the number we need reports to me directly. We are currently, for example, discussing the to achieve critical mass in a fiercely competitive international market for statue of St Andrew in the Botanic Garden, where she is reviewing its the best students and staff, but it is also a number which allows us to conservation and location needs, with a view to having it relocated to a retain the essence of what we are, and where we are. Or, as Carlsberg more suitable site. might put it, probably the best small university in the best small town in There is much to do, but in the establishment of the post of Assistant the world. Vice-Principal for Collections, please see an unambiguous signal of how Secondly, the University is a responsible civic partner that has much value the University at leadership level places on the preservation long acted to ensure that the students who come to St Andrews do of the outstanding heritage of this University and town – and the role not change the character of the town beyond what is reasonable and that we want this heritage to play in shaping our future. positive for us all. Almost half of current students are accommodated in University Halls of Residence, so not in private rentals, or Houses Conclusions of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The proportion of our students that ‘I stood amazed beneath St Salvator’s Tower and I knew I had come the University takes responsibility for housing is the highest for any home’ – those words attributed to Principal Irvine are shared by all university in the UK by a considerable margin. We are working to of us here. St Andrews is Town, Gown and Home to us. and I think it maintain this proportion, even as student numbers gradually increase. especially important that it retains the characteristics of a welcoming This year we open two new Halls of Residence, Powell Hall home as we look towards the future. The University is small, intending and Whitehorn Hall, that between them provide almost 400 beds for to stay so, because that is what makes us distinctive, valued, and students. When the Albany residence is renovated, the total number of successful. We will continue to evolve and adapt in a competitive world. new and renovated beds added to St Andrews by the University will be This requires our practices and estate to change. I hope I have shared over a thousand. with you that we take an incredibly responsible, long-term, and engaged It should be noted that the average cost of providing each new approach to change. Place and history are everything to St Andrews. student bed is around £80,000, so this work represents an exceptional The University stewards them for future generations with care, and in investment by the University and its partners in the long-term capacity the good consciousness that we are preparing this town and University of the town. A thousand new beds is about an £80 million investment in for what will come. I want us all to keep collaborating and working St Andrews, this region and Scotland; it is our students who between together to make St Andrews succeed as Town, Gown, and Home. them enable this, bringing needed jobs and income to North East Fife.

20 SHOPS & SERVICES

Julian Crowe, Vice-chair St Andrews Fairtrade Town Campaign What does it mean to be a Fairtrade Town?

The recent disappearance (temporary, let’s hope) of the “Fairtrade Town” signs at the entry-points to St Andrews has prompted members of the Fairtrade Town Campaign Group to re-think the reasons behind the campaign. It’s a good moment to re-affirm both the significance of being a Fairtrade Town, and the fundamental aims of the Fair Trade movement. First, what do the “Fairtrade Town” signs tell the passing motorist about the town? St Andrews gained its Fairtrade Town designation in 2005 as the result of a grass-roots campaign to raise awareness of trade injustice. The campaign group established that a substantial proportion of the retailers and restaurants in the town sold or served Fairtrade products, while many firms, charities and other organizations used Fairtrade products. This, together with the endorsement of the Merchants Association, Fife Council, and the Community Council, persuaded the Fairtrade Foundation that there was sufficient support for Fairtrade to merit the award of Fairtrade Town status. In order to maintain our status the Alice Curteis, Peter Robinson, Mary Popple receive the campaign group has demonstrated every 2015 Community Award from the Scottish Fairtrade Forum two years an increasing level of support for Fairtrade. The group’s activities include our food comes to seem as normal as the and retailers steal a competitive edge by regular surveys of the provision of Fairtrade smoking ban in pubs, or any of the other appealing to those who are prepared to pay products, visits to schools to spread things which were once unthinkable, but are extra for the pleasure of feeling virtuous. information about Fairtrade, and engagement now part of civilised life. As each generation This misrepresentation is heard often with different sectors to encourage the is aghast at what was accepted as normal enough, usually from muscular believers adoption of Fairtrade. For example, in 2015 by their parents and grandparents, perhaps in the free market, who brush aside the the catering for The Open Championship our grandchildren will stretch their eyes in ethical context of the Fairtrade movement. used Fairtrade products, and the organizers disbelief asking, “Did people really think it The discussion over the roadside “Fairtrade undertook to make all their subsequent was OK to pay an unfair price to those who Town” signs suggests that parts of the championships Fairtrade. It’s worth noting laboured to feed them?” There’s a long way Scottish Government are under the same too that the University is a to go, but the proliferation of misapprehension. Fairtrade University; the town Fairtrade Town signs is one The truth is that consumers who buy campaign group work with staff way of nudging Fairtrade Fairtrade products do so because they and students on events like the there are now more into the mainstream. recognise a human, as well as a commercial annual Fairtrade Fortnight. than 600 Fairtrade Meanwhile, the relationship with the men, women, children Fairtrade is therefore not achievements of the labouring hard to produce our food, and they just the King Charles’s head of Towns in the UK Fairtrade movement, therefore accept the responsibility to pay a few dedicated enthusiasts, though small in relation the fair price. Whether or not this gives the but something that has been to the bulk of world trade, Fairtrade consumer the pleasure of feeling embraced collectively by the town. This is are significant for those involved. At the virtuous is a matter of personal psychology, the real significance of the Fairtrade Town last count there were 1.66 million farmers nothing to do with the ethics of trade justice. designation. The signs at the roadside are a and workers in Fairtrade-certified producer Trade is a hot political issue. The badge of community achievement. But they organizations, including both small-scale co- Fairtrade movement is heavily involved have also a more practical function. Since operatives and (controversially) plantations. in the political debate, but Fairtrade is not 2001, when Garstang in Lancashire became In 2016 more than €150 million was paid in the exclusive domain of any one political the world’s first Fairtrade Town, more and Fairtrade premiums, spent by the producers party; the movement is not committed to more communities have followed the same on things such as improved housing or a single road to trade justice. The political route; there are now more than 600 Fairtrade training, and equipment for farmers. Fairtrade statement that individuals make when they Towns in the UK. producers organize their production for the buy Fairtrade products, and which the town The spread of Fairtrade is of great collective benefit of all the workers. Everyone makes when it collectively proclaims itself a importance to the increasing numbers of else who is involved in the Fairtrade process Fairtrade Town, is a gesture of solidarity with food-producers who benefit from fair and – as importer, wholesaler, retailer and, those who labour to feed us, a recognition stable prices and the Fairtrade premium, ultimately, consumer – takes the ethical that the international trading system could but no-one pretends that the movement decision to pay the producers a fair price that be, ought to be, more equal and more just. has come close to securing the goal of will sustain their families and communities. Proclaiming St Andrews a Fairtrade Town is a global trade justice. This goal will only be This brings us to a common criticism tiny step, but in the right direction. achieved when Fairtrade moves into the of Fairtrade, that it is a “distortion” of “free” mainstream, so that paying a fair price for trade, a dodge by which certain producers

SHOPS & SERVICES

Chris Gardiner, a Private Client Solicitor based in St Andrews who specialises in all matters relating to Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts & Tax. Can a text message be a valid Will?

A French Court in the city of Metz ruled recently Closer to home, last year the English being accepted in that a text message could not be regarded as Law Commission launched a consultation England. It also a valid Will. into modernising the law surrounding Wills proposes the use of The text message stated that the deceased south of the border. This will not affect us in texts, emails, videos, individual wanted a share of his estate to go to Scotland, as we have our own separate legal or voicemails as all his mother instead of his wife, whom he was system, however, it may give an indication of being potentially separated from and in the process of divorcing. what the Scottish Courts might also accept regarded as parts of Wills. It is suggested The Court stated that under the French Civil as Wills if we change the law in the future. that it may then be left for the court to decide, Code, “a Will can only be valid if it has been The days when people would carry if for example, the contents of a voicemail or written by hand, dated, and signed”. around a pen and note pad are almost email represent a person’s intention to leave The argument for the use of text messages extinct. The smart phone is now everyone’s an individual certain property on their death. to be regarded as valid notepad, diary, address But what difficulties could these new Wills has been appearing the law concerning what is book, and almost every forms of Wills give rise to? With new forms in the news regularly in a valid Will in Scotland has other tool you will ever of technology being created every week, recent years. Last year require. However, the a set of common rules would be hard to in Australia, the Brisbane never been altered to include law concerning what is arrive at. Making it easier for individuals to Supreme Court ruled anything other than documents a valid Will in Scotland leave a Will through the use of technology that a draft, unsent text or items signed in wet ink has never been altered has to be balanced with ensuring that those message detailing how to include anything same individuals are still protected from the a man wanted his estate to be divided on his other than documents or items signed in wet influence of others, or from fraud. death was a valid Will. Usually, a formal Will ink. With technology advancing around the The main issues will no doubt be debated in Queensland must be typed, or hand written, world at an incredible rate every year, the in England; we will certainly be keeping an and signed in front of two witnesses, in order to question is – why should a Will only be valid interested eye on developments. For now be valid. However, in 2006 the law was relaxed if it is signed with wet ink? though, it looks like pen and paper still has a to allow more informal types of Wills that The proposals last year from the English role to play in Scotland… show the clear intention of the individual to be Law Commission discuss the possibility of accepted as Wills. electronic Wills with electronic signatures

Steve Richardson, Trusted Trader Admin Team The Fife Trusted Trader Scheme

Set up in 2011, Fife Trusted Trader is the only official scheme across Councillor Ross J Vettraino OBE, from Fife which is backed by Fife Council, with all members vetted and Fife Council said: monitored by Trading Standards. The scheme is also backed by “Having access to vetted local traders Ombudsman Services, who provide impartial adjudication between should give our residents confidence when consumer and trader in the event of a serious dispute. Fife Trusted choosing a trader to work on their homes. Trader is supported by Police Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland. Residents should feel reassured that we All members have been through a vigorous vetting process, must have such a high standard of businesses conform to a code of conduct, and will never turn up on your doorstep across Fife. All traders have been vetted unannounced or uninvited. by our Trading Standards team and have Cllr. Vetrraino OBE There are a wide range of Trusted Traders on to work to a strict code of the scheme: from plumbers, stone masons, roofers, All members have been practice to remain on the scheme.” to mechanics, and gardeners. You can through a vigorous Business Owners search for the business vetting process We are looking to increase the number of traders on you need on the new the Fife scheme, as work requests from residents Fife Trusted Trader website at: increase. In particular, we are looking for more gardeners, electricians, www.trustedtrader.scot/Fife handyman services, as well as motor related trades such as MOT If you have family, friends, or testing. Most trades are welcome, apart from those related with the neighbours you think might find the food industry. scheme useful, then please spread the word. The Fife Trusted Trader scheme If you have been trading for a minimum of six months, are moved to a purpose-built Trusted happy to be vetted by Trading Standards and would like to see if Trader website in April 2018, which membership would be a good fit for your business, please get in is managed and supported by a touch. You can contact the membership team on 0333 444 0185, dedicated team. The same website email: [email protected] or visit the website: also hosts schemes for East Lothian, www.trustedtrader.scot/Fife Edinburgh, and Renfrewshire Councils.

23 SHOPS & SERVICES

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

24 SHOPS & SERVICES Roving Reporter

1. Nothing succeeds like success, says Reporter. This is epitomised by repairing a zip on a hold-all, replacing worn Velcro on a shoe, Richmond Sport, 35 North Street, St Andrews (01334 470 367). creating a patch – whether almost invisible or funky – over a tear, Against very stiff competition they have been chosen as the official as well as the more straightforward sewing jobs. team-wear partner of Saints Sport, University of St Andrews. This The Scottish Government has set targets of 70% waste means that they will supply all the match kits for all the sports on recycling with only 5% to landfill by 2025. These are daunting offer, as well as off-field leisurewear. Together with Macron S.p.A, targets which mean drastic changes to our habits. It may become a the Italian leader in the field of sportswear in Europe, Richmond necessity again to repair and reuse whenever we can, minimising Sport now has a local customer base that covers from Gleneagles what we send off to landfill. An attitude we need to cultivate? to Stonehaven, in addition to the home market in St Andrews. Their Hence, I have volunteered through St Andrews Community online shop also attracts many international University alumni, the Skillshare to teach people to use a sewing machine. After the furthest so far being from West Virginia, USA! On 22 September, introduction to basic use, I can help with any project they have. If before an audience of 10,000 at Murrayfield, Richmond Sport’s kits they haven’t one of their own, they can book time to use my sewing were on show at the St Andrews v. Edinburgh Scottish Varsity rugby machine, or one of Transition St Andrews’ ones. I also offer to do match. The shop in North Street has everything the sportsperson of repairs, or alterations, for a donation to a women’s aid charity I used today could wish for! William can also be contacted on: to work for. [email protected] Satisfying tasks? A student, wanting to look smart for a job interview, purchased a wonderful grey coat from Oxfam, but required the large old-fashioned lapels modernised to a narrow collar. The high quality tailoring made it a tough challenge. Another was a school rucksack with material frayed around the zip. Ransacking my material scrap-box yielded a scrap of blue faux-leather ideal for a replacement patch, such that the zip could be firmly re-attached. Interested? The basic sewing lessons are on Tuesday’s at 5.30pm, or Wednesday’s at 10.00am in my home in North Street, St Andrews – bookable via the St Andrews Community Skillshare Facebook group. For repairs contact me direct by email to arrange a time: [email protected]

(Photos by Flora Selwyn & courtesy Richmond Sport)

2. Reporter is so impressed *with * this * entrepreneur:* * Pam Brunt’s Repair and Reuse Service: A (Alterations) . . . To . . . Z (Zip replacements) I grew up just after the second world war, when shortages and rationing meant one reused or repaired, if at all possible: holes in woollens were darned; elbows patched; collars turned; worn garments unpicked and made into smaller items. As a result, my sewing machine has been an invaluable part of my life. In my first home my mother’s manual sewing machine was borrowed to make curtains, chair covers, clothes, when income was limited. Then followed an electric Singer that accompanied our young family to a remote area abroad, facilitating children’s clothes- making, and more curtains! A more modern machine now enables Nayab dress overlocking and embroidery, but the basics are the same. As a (Photos courtesy Pam Brunt) result, I hate throwing anything away that can, with a bit of effort, be restored to use again. I positively enjoy finding a solution to * * * * * 25 ORGANISATIONS

K Corbin, Chairman St Andrews And District Community Safety Panel

The Safety Panel in St Andrews has been relationships between the police and the part in initiatives to help make safer areas going for a great many years under the community. Community Safety covers a for those not so able, for senior citizens, strong chairmanship of Mr William Sangster, range of issues; it can include anti-social vulnerable and disabled; these tend to be the in which time the Safety Panel has tackled behaviour, home safety and security, road more targeted groups, when fraud or crime many issues of importance to the Town. Mr safety, pest control, nuisance dogs, just some are involved. Sangster has worked tirelessly along with his of the issues which Panel members come colleagues, some of whom have many years’ across. There are really too many to mention, experience within several fields, and some of but the list is not endless. People need to feel If you would like to join this worthwhile whom have been volunteers on the Panel for safe from crime or any form of disorder. and rewarding group, please feel more than fourteen years. The Panel is made up of volunteers from free to get in touch with either: Interest in safety is a strong key for Panel the community together with officers from [email protected] or members, helping to support and represent Police Scotland, all committed to long term [email protected] or telephone the community, to develop relationships initiatives making St Andrews a pleasant, 01334 474 040, we would be delighted working alongside one another in an safe environment to live, work, play in, and to hear from you. endeavour to seek ways to reduce crime, visit. promote a greater understanding, whilst Community Safety is the responsibility developing and promoting good community of everyone; as individuals we can all take

Sheena McCall, Associate CFBA, welfare and feline behaviour councillor, introduces The modern Cats Protection

During the 1920s, cats were not run. Supervisors monitor eating, toileting, and behaviour of all throughout seen as the companion animals their stay, and report to the welfare officer at meetings held throughout of today, but rather as pests, the week. Sometimes our arrivals go out to another band of helpers, our often ill-treated. Started in 1927, foster parents, to be cared for in a home setting if deemed best for their the Cats Protection League wellbeing. wished to change this attitude. The welfare officer is the link between the cats and the vets. Both The one-penny Mews Sheet in work in close association with the co-ordinator, between them trying 1931 did much to educate the to solve any issues arising, either medically or behaviourally, making public. The ‘Tailwavers’ scheme appointments for each cat to be seen by the vets on arrival, when all cats was developed during WW2 to are health checked, vaccinated. Un-neutered males, and all strays, are help the plight of pet cats during blood tested for FIV and FELV, while neutering is arranged for those not Tanith and Sheena the blitz. There is now an army already done. If all is well, cats are signed off to go straight to new homes of volunteers numbering some once found. Our aim is to rehome cats within a week. Those with medical 10,000. The Charity dropped the word ‘League’ in 1999, but its motives or behavioural issues sadly have a slightly extended stay till we can help have never altered: ‘Our vision is a world where every cat is treated with them overcome what is troubling them. All cats are found homes unless kindness and an understanding of its needs.’ they are irreparably sick or injured and the vets feel it wiser to euthanize. So what happens when owners and their pets have to part? Many This is hard for everyone, especially some of our younger members, to people believe that they are betraying the trust of their beloved pet if they cope with emotionally. We try to gently remind them that the cats are in need to give them up into care, but this can be an exceedingly brave the right place, getting the right care, rather than dying in uncontrolled thing to do, and will only be met with empathy at all shelters. Cats are circumstances, often in great pain. a long-lived species, with many reaching their late teens, or even older. Anyone who falls in love with one of our residents can enter a This length of time can see many changes in people’s circumstances ‘note of interest’. We have an adoption fee of £75, adaptable in some that can make it impossible to continue to care adequately for the cat’s circumstances, which goes a little way to cover medical bills. Our homing wellbeing. volunteers then visit to check that the cat and owner would be well With no paid staff Cats Protection works under the guidance of our matched, or guide them to a different character. Sadly some cats take co-ordinator, ensuring all cats get the best care and homes possible. Our longer to home than others, especially black cats, which are still often shops also help provide us with much needed income to look after our viewed with suspicion. charges. Kittens go to foster homes for socialising, this also avoids them The Dundee homing centre consists of a reception, 20 pens, plus being in an environment that may be detrimental to their health. These 2 isolation units, both a human and a cats’ kitchen, and a charity shop. little ones are organised by our dedicated kitten officer, who is also We also have another external charity shop. responsible for their homing visits. Sometimes we Cats coming in can range from pets that can With no paid staff Cats Protection have pregnant mums who will return, neutered, no longer be kept; those found wandering; cats works under the guidance of our to their owners, the kittens rehomed at 10 weeks just delivered to the shelter; some unfortunately old. that are just dumped – we even had a suitcase co-ordinator, ensuring all cats get One of Cats Protection’s main wishes is to containing a mum and kittens – tragic! It costs the best care and homes possible see all pet cats neutered, unless they belong to nothing to leave animals with us; just a phone a registered breeder. There are just too many call. Emergencies are always immediately taken, we try to arrange pens kittens born, so sometimes it takes time to home them all. To this end as soon as possible. Sadly we also get cats in with perhaps solvable we have a voucher scheme to help those on benefits cover the cost of behaviour issues, such as inappropriate toileting, aggression, or inability neutering. Your nearest C/P group would willingly sort this out for you. to get on with another pet in the family. One of our newer problems is the In our feral programme, cats are trapped, neutered and returned breakup of a home. to the colonies where found, as it is impossible to socialise them. They On arrival one meets the reception staff, who greet people and would be inappropriate and unhappy in a pet environment, so best arrange paperwork for those animals coming in, or those leaving. They released again. We have a group of volunteers specifically to look after are also the first volunteers people phoning for advice will speak to, so and feed our feral colonies. it is vital they are understanding and compassionate. Cats coming in Fundraisers manage our two shops, very important people who are safely installed in a pen with a heated indoor cabin and outdoor run, work towards helping finance the shelter. The shelter itself is open to the settled in by shelter volunteers, given toys and all they require. These public daily for 11:00am to 4:00pm. Volunteers are always needed to join hard-working folk, often overlooked, available 365 days a year, provide our merry band. all feeding and cleaning. Without them the shelter would be impossible to (Photo courtesy Sheena McCall)

26 ORGANISATIONS

Ketron Morrison St Andrews Memory Café

Almost six years ago there was little support in the area for the families of those with dementia. The few opportunities available at the time meant that spouses were unable to attend regularly as they found it difficult to leave those they cared for, or get someone to stay with their spouse while they attended on their own. Many family carers were desperate for information and a chance to share problems with others in similar situations. The St Andrews Memory Café was set up to help fill this void. It welcomes family carers on their own, or with their spouses. Volunteers support the carers by organising talks from legal experts, dieticians, fitness instructors etc. also by directing them to other sources of information, by listening, and giving them the opportunity to chat to others over home-made afternoon teas. Meanwhile, those with dementia enjoy some form of entertainment, or activity to jog their memory of earlier times; for example, by looking at items from the Preservation Trust, the Fife Folk Museum etc. We also have a summer outing, which this year was to Cairnie Fruit Farm. Family carers often feel isolated – the Memory Café helps to keep them socially active. Some couples now join up independently to go for a walk or putting together. Chris Gardiner, Senior Solicitor at Thorntons Law LLP, presenting a donation to We meet once per month at Hope Park Church and St Andrews Memory Café organiser Ketron Morrison and volunteers from the group. are looking to extend this. (Photo courtesy Ketron Morrison)

John Matthews records Signs Of The Times

Until very recently locals and visitors alike were greeted, on reaching the town limits, by a plethora of road signs, including the formal town signs (most of which were of standard, but uninspiring, design). Some of the routes into the town did not even have a sign of any sort! A notable exception to the quality of signs was the one built into the wall at the junction of Guardbridge Road and Old Station Road. This sign, bearing the coat-of-arms of St Andrews has been kept fresh over many years by the attentions of local worthy and one-time sign writer, Bill Sangster. Now, however, each public road into the town has a brand new sign remembering the town’s historic status as a Royal Burgh and bearing, in full colour, the town’s coat-of-arms. St Andrews’ important place in Scotland’s history, its renown as “the home of golf” and its worldwide recognition as the home of “Scotland’s First University” merit this vastly improved signage. Beneath each town sign is one identifying Loches as St Andrews’ twin town. The Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council is to be commended for this initiative, on which it has worked for some considerable time. In recent months the work was led by Howard Greenwell, who produced design studies, worked closely with Fife Council on clearing the regulatory hurdles, secured funding for the whole project, finally placing the contract for the production and installation of the signs. The first sign was installed on the Guardbridge Road early on 27 August, and the work was completed within two days.

Official photo: Howard Greenwell (right) with representatives of the funding bodies

27 EVENTS

From Paula Martin St Andrews University Archaeological Society

On Thursday, 15 November 2018, in School 1, St Salvator’s Quad, defensive positions, training sites, PoW camps, airfields, and even at 8.00pm Allan Kilpatrick, Historic Environment Scotland will talk on: transport. Using information gained from recent fieldwork together Defending Scotland against the Kaiser. with illustrated material from the Historic Environment Scotland’s own He will look at the archaeological evidence for the First World War collections, also from The National Archives, this brief overview should in Scotland. During the War much of Scotland had extensive military provide an insight into the quantity, quality, and importance of the occupation; best known is the Royal Navy’s bases at Scapa Flow and archaeological remains of the First World War, found across Scotland. Rosyth. This activity has left traces from the coastal batteries and

Oliver Savage, Marketing Intern at the Byre, interviews Sophie Gent, Byre Youth Theatre

The Byre pantomime is something that we look forward to every year. As the nights draw in and the mercury drops, it’s nice to know that there’s a whole room full of joy and smiling faces just a short walk, or drive, away. To start getting in the festive spirit, we sat down with Sophie Gent, 15 years old, and one of the veterans of the Byre Youth Theatre, to talk all things pantomime, really to get the nitty-gritty of what it means to perform on the Byre stage every year.

How long have you been a part of the Byre because I’ve just grown, coming out of my Pan – mostly just because I’d love to fly! Youth Theatre? shell over the years, so I have a lot more fun Unfortunately though, I don’t think that’s going I’ve been part of it for around 7 years – I in the later pantos. At this point my favourite is to be possible right now – the Byre doesn’t started when I was 8. the last one, Beauty and the Beast. I loved my have that type of equipment, and flying is so character and costume so much last year that integral to the show that it would be really Why did you get involved? I’m not sure if it can be topped! difficult to do without. My sister started before me and was singing its praises, so I had to try it out. I had done a Is there anyone who particularly inspires you If you could play any role in the world, what few after-school drama classes, but they were to perform? would it be, and why? nowhere near as amazing as BYT! My sister After thinking about this for a while, I have Anyone who knows me knows my love for has since turned 18 and left, but obviously I to go for Ashley Foster, owner of BYT, my Marvel movies, so I’d love to be some part of have continued, as the Byre has become my second mother. She has been like my fairy that universe. Slightly more realistically, being second family. godmother for years, and I honestly feel I a part of a West End musical has always been could go to her with anything. a dream of mine. What’s been your favourite Panto to work on with the Byre, and why? If you could choose, what Panto would you If you could perform with any famous person All of the pantos I have been part of have like to do next? at the Byre, who would that be? been incredible in their own ways, but I have We’ve done most of them, but one that Again, anyone who has met me or even seen to say each year tops the last. It’s probably I’ve been wanting to do for years is Peter my lockscreen will be aware of my admiration of Spiderman actor Tom Holland. He also played the title role in Billy Elliot in the West End when he was a child, so I would love to work with him at the Byre.

What do you want to do when you grow up? Definitely, something in the world of musical theatre or acting, most likely the stage. People ask me what my backup is and I obviously have other ideas, but I genuinely can’t imagine doing anything else.

What’s been your favourite part so far, working on Sleeping Beauty? I always love learning the dance routines and getting to know this year’s characters. It’s still early days, but spending time with my panto family is always amazing – there’s never a boring day!

Sleeping Beauty will be on at the Byre from Thursday, 29 November to Saturday, 5 January.

(Photo courtesy Peter Adamson)

Sophie in Cinderella, 2015 (aged 12)

28 EVENTS

Tony Waterston, Chair of St Andrews Space for Cycling Gillian Craig presents Car Free, A Christmas Concert People Happy? Sunday, 9 December – 7.30pm in St Salvator’s Chapel The Heisenberg Ensemble, director Gillian Craig, and The Celebration Chorus, present a concert of Christmas music including Charpentier’s ‘Christmas Mass’ and Corelli’s ‘Christmas Concerto’.

Tickets £10 (students and children £5) reservable in advance until 7 December at: [email protected] or from 01382 540 031; and at the door.

Car Free Day

More than 3000 walkers, shoppers, and cyclists took over St Andrews’ main shopping street, Market Street, in September as the Medieval town returned to its roots, banishing cars for the day as part of World Car Free Day. The Street was closed to cars from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Tourists, students, residents, and shoppers were treated to safe access to a children’s soft-play area, a pop-up park, a yoga class, Heisenberg Ensemble African drumming, and a skateboarding ramp. The highlight was (Photo courtesy Gill Craig) three twenty-minute spectacular stunt bike shows from Scotland’s Stunt Team, The Clan, which drew big crowds. What is the purpose of Car Free Day, and did it achieve its aims? Organised by St Andrews Space for Cycling, with the help of Transition University, the Rector, Students Association, and Fife Council, the idea is to show what a city centre can be like without cars. There is a global movement to make towns and cities more pleasant to get about in without the threat of pollution, accidental injury and stress – this is particularly desirable in an ancient town like St Andrews, where historically everyone went about on foot. It feels quite different strolling in a city where you can walk in the road and breathe clean air; this is what came about in Market Street. To make the town more cycle and pedestrian friendly, more will need to be done in building safe routes, both to school and from residential areas to the shops. We need to gain the support of the businesses in Market Street and beyond, if street closure is to be repeated; Podofit was the only business to place a stall outside the shop, reaping the benefit. There is copious data available from other towns holding similar events, that people on foot and bike spend as much as those coming by car, while in the long run spending more, as they visit more often. And there is no competition between St Andrews and other shopping areas in Fife. However, not all reactions to Car Free Day are positive. Some are concerned that traffic is simply displaced to other parts of the town; some found it difficult to obtain a parking space; others were anxious about the impact on those with disabilities. Some businesses complained that their takings were down. Hence there is a need for more work to be done in addition to the feasibility study being carried out by the Playfair Group (University of St Andrews). SASC recommends further trials over the next year or so – to test out the impact when the weather is less perfect than this time round, establish what needs to be done to keep up business profits, and examine parking alternatives. A Car Free Day at Christmas, or other festivals, would be fun, particularly if Market Street becomes a true market again with shops putting their wares on the street, as Podofit did so successfully. Let’s embrace clean air and a walkable environment – and pull together to make it work in St Andrews.

(Photo courtesy Robin Waterston)

29 EVENTS

Stephen Gethins MP Local MP hosts Solheim Cup event in Parliament

As co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Golf, I was pleased to host a reception at Westminster marking ‘one year to go’ until the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. The APPG was set up to promote the benefits of golf, to encourage clubs and golfing organisations to make the sport more accessible at grass-roots level, especially for women and children. It also aims to promote the health and wellbeing benefits of the sport. It was good to speak to those involved in staging the 16th Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, including Ladies European Tour Executive Chair, Mark Lichtenhein; also to hear more about the development of women’s golf from those taking part, with European Team Captain Catriona Matthew, as well as Sky Sports’ presenter Di Dougherty, who led an interesting Q&A session. As readers may be aware Di was in St Andrews recently to film an episode of US TV series the ‘The Golf Explorers’ with Jason Connery, also featuring local golf historian and author Roger McStravick. It was also good to speak to VisitScotland Director of Events, Paul Bush, about the work which is going on to showcase Scotland as a leading golf destination, a move which will hopefully help bring more visitors to ‘The Home of Golf’, as well as to Scotland overall. The Solheim Cup tournament provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance Scotland’s reputation for golf and as the perfect stage for major international events, whilst also delivering economic benefits to the local area and more widely across Scotland. Solheim Cup September 2018 (Photo courtesy Stephen Gethins)

Alan Tricker, Director Meeting Nell Gwynn

The St Andrews Play Club – the local 2016; this is its first production in a Scottish Nell Gwynn, so the Play Club’s Nell Gwynn – community theatre group – is performing Nell theatre outside Edinburgh. Sarah Thomson – went to see who it is she is Gwynn, by Jessica Swale, with a cast of 20 At an early rehearsal, cast members Frank portraying. actors/singers. The play was on in London in and Wendy Quinault said they had a portrait of The picture is a copy of a painting by Victorian artist Henry Greenhead. He based it on the famous one by Sir Peter Lely, painted at the height of Nell’s fame as an actress in the late 1660s that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Sarah was intrigued to see an actual portrait of her character in the play, and was delighted when the director, Alan Tricker, said she wouldn’t have to dye her hair red! The play is set in London in 1660. King Charles II has exploded onto the scene with a love of all things loud, extravagant, and sexy. He reopens the theatres. At Drury Lane, a young Nell Gwynn is selling oranges for sixpence. Little does she know who is watching! Nell Gwynn charts the rise of an unlikely heroine, from her roots in Coal Yard Alley, to her success as Britain’s most celebrated actress, with her hard-won place in the heart of the King. But at a time when women are second-class citizens, can her charm and spirit protect her from the dangers of the Court? You’ll need to see that play to find out! Don’t miss this chance to see this fun-packed romp – where the sparks start to fly as love and honesty triumph over snobbery and class.

(Photo courtesy Frank & Wendy Quinault)

30 EVENTS

Lindsay Matheson, for the St Andrews Partnership & Cathedral Floodlighting sub-group. “There Will Be Light”

This is a footnote to the article in the last that Fife Council awarded us full planning and commissioning the lights. At this stage issue of this magazine about the St Andrews permission on 20 September. (September), we do not have a date for the Cathedral Floodlighting Project being This autumn we shall be working switching-on, but the very fact that we are undertaken by the St Andrews Partnership. closely with Historic Environment Scotland, nearly there is what matters for now. Thanks We are pleased to report to all those the owner of the property, to schedule the are also due to St Andrews University, who organisations, trusts, and individuals, necessary groundwork and archaeological generously have agreed to pay for the who have supported us in this endeavour, preparations on the site, prior to installing electrical running costs of the new scheme.

Selected Events Thursday, 1 November – 7.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews, Thursday, 22 November – 7.30pm. St Salvators Chapel, North National Theatre Live, Allelujah. Contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk Street. Chamber Music Concert. Ashley Solomon, baroque flute; Terence Chariston, harpsichord for the St Andrews Music Club. Saturday, 3 November Contact: [email protected] – 9.00am-1.00pm Argyle Street car park. Farmers’ Market. – 11.30am to 4.00pm. Burnside Hall, BALMULLO. Seasonal Saturday, 24 November – 2.00pm. the Junor Gallery, 43 South Craft Fair. High quality professional artists, craftspeople, Street. Poetry reading with Professor Bashabi Fraser and food producers. Home baking & raffle. Entry £2.50 (includes Professor Alan Riach, from their anthology ‘Thali Katori’ refreshments). Plenty of free parking. Contact: celebrating links between Scotland and India. Free. All welcome. [email protected] Contact: [email protected]

Tuesday, 6 November – 6.30pm. Chemistry Building, North Thursday, 29 November Haugh. Orchids of Central Scotland. A talk by Dr Roy – 7.00pm. Rooftop Café, British Golf Museum, Bruce Sexton, for the Friends of the Botanic Garden. Free. Contact: Embankment. The Art of Cleecting – exploring the origins & [email protected] growth of the R&A’s Painting collection. A talk by Diane Bailey MBE. Booking advised. Wednesday, 7 November – 7.30AM. Breakfast at The Old Course – 7.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews, The London Paladium, Hotel. Effective negotiation skills, a talk by Andrew B Brown for Live, The King and I. Contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk the St Andrews Business Club. Tickets via Eventbright. Non- members £20. Contact: [email protected] * * * * * Sunday, 11 November – Remembrance Sunday. 100 years since Saturday, 1 December – 9.30am-11.00am. Steak Barn, Balgove the end of WW1. Larder, Strathtyrum. Christmas Wreaths. Fundamentals of making your own wreath to take home. Monday, 12 November – 5.15pm. Main Physics Lecture Theatre, North Haugh. Learning the Lessons of Quantum Mechanics, a Tuesday, 4 December – 6.30pm. Chemistry Building, North Haugh. talk by Bishop Joanna Penberthy of St David’s, Wales. For the Botanical Exploration in Kalimantan & Papua New Guinea. A talk James Gregory Public Lecture Series on Science, Religion & by Dr Mark Hughes for the Friends of the Botanic Garden. Free. Human Flourishing. Contact: [email protected] Contact: [email protected]

Wednesday, 14 November Thursday, 6 December – 7.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews. Troilus & Cressida. – 5.15pm. Theatre C, Purdie Building, North Haugh. The Live from The Royal Shakespeare Company. For further Galloway Viking Hoard, a talk by Andrew Nicholson, Regional information & booking contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk Archaeologist, Dumfries & Galloway, for the St Andrews University – 7.30pm Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens. Overland to the Archaeological Society. Contact: [email protected] Caucasus for birds, a talk by Jeremy Brock for the Scottish – 7.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews, The National Theatre, Ornithologists’ Club. Live, Anthony & Cleopatra. Contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk

Thursday, 15 November – 8.00pm. School 1, St Salvator’s Saturday, 8 December Quad, North Street, St Andrews. Defending Scotland Against – 6.30pm. St Athernase Church, LEUCHARS. Lights & sounds the Kaiser. Lecture by Allan Kilpartick, Historic Environment of Christmas, Concert . Tickets, £5 (include seasonal Scotland. Looking at the archaeological evidence for the First refreshments). Proceeds to the Church Regeneration Fund. World War across Scotland. Contact: St Andrews University Contact: [email protected] Archaeological Society, [email protected] – 9.30am-11.00am. Steak Barn, Balgove Larder, Strathtyrum. See page 28. Christmas Wreaths. Fundamentals of making your own wreath to take home. Tuesday, 20 November – 6.00pm. Cosmos Centre, Abbey Walk. People first St Andrews Sunday, 9 December – 2.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews, Group. A self-advocacy group for people with learning disabilities, The Royal Ballet. Live. The Nutcracker. Contact: supported by a Development Officer. nph.nphcinema.co.uk – 7.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews, National Theatre Live, The Madness of George III. Contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk Tuesday, 11 December – 6.30pm. New Picture House, St Andrews. Cinema Live. A Christmas Carol. Contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk Wednesday, 21 November – 5.00pm. The Old Course Hotel. William Dowson, Bank of England Agent for Scotland, speaker Saturday, 15 December – 2.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews. for the St Andrews Business Club. Tickets via Eventbright. Non- Munro Films. Cbeebies Christmas Show. Contact: members £20. Contact: [email protected] nph.nphcinema.co.uk

31 OUT & ABOUT

Tim Hardie’s Nature Notes

There has been no long Indian summer and are probably already building another following our hot June and July this year. of their flimsy nests, laying another brace of September’s storm Ali ripped through the their chalky white eggs. central belt, blowing down hundreds of oak Out in the garden one evening I saw a and ash trees, their limbs leaving every large raptor coming by on the wind. Although available chainsaw seconded for work. Here usually there are many buzzards around, this at home a two-ton oak limb landed flush on fellow seemed different, with a much more an iron gate, leaving it resembling a ribbon. slender long tail, very like a red kite, but with Although the nesting season is largely no fork in the tail; it was a hen harrier. Like well and truly over I did feel sorry for our lots of birds at the moment he, or she, was redoubtable wood pigeons, who oftentimes no doubt heading south for winter. Whitethroat are breeding at harvest time; no doubt many The swallows departed for sunnier (Photo by kind permission of John Anderson nests were blown to kingdom come. That climes, as usual they were delightful ( www.pbase.com/crail_birder )) said they are not redoubtable for nothing, company the past months. Though there appear to have been fewer adults returning My little friends the field mice have grown this year, the pairs that did arrive did well, as fatter and fatter on the back of having fresh did the house martins. peas for supper every night. In turn they have I received my annual visit from migrating raised lots of little field mice promised peas willow warblers and chiffchaffs in the middle for their supper next summer. I am virtually of August. Enchanting little birds, they like defeated, considering whether a pair of a wild bit of garden, where they can feast porky pigs might be the answer, and buying on insect life to their hearts’ content prior to vegetables in Tesco, like every other sensible their long journey to the Continent. Talking of person! warblers, I recall a few weeks ago coming to My new point-of-lay pullets arrived the end of a walk, having seen nothing at all, early at the end of August. Now they have when I came across a family of whitethroat blossomed into elegant young ladies about warblers, busy, busy, work to do, insects to to pursue a career laying eggs for my café. catch – similarly enchanting. Sadly the chieftain of the hen run, Cocky The vegetable garden has frankly been Boy, still looks like a dog’s breakfast due to a disaster this year, the cold and late spring, his moult, and the pullets are enquiring if I followed by a heat wave, then a wet August! couldn’t find them a younger lad, who’s a bit It is so thick with nettles and weeds I think better looking. I have suggested they just be David Livingstone could even go missing in it! patient and all will be fine!

32 OUT & ABOUT

Craig Gilbert Autumn in Aberdour

The end of September is a time when evenings grow colder, the nights draw in and waterproofs are required to survive the wind and rain, which tends to be the more pronounced weather. Indeed, I had secreted myself away within four walls as Storm Ali lashed at our house! How wonderful, then, to take an excursion to the pretty village of Aberdour on the south coast of Fife, to be greeted with amazing sunshine and a wealth of views. From the High Street, with notable cafés and gift shops, a descent downward on Shore Road led to the Black Sands beach. From there, Edinburgh and Inchcolm, with its prominent abbey, were in plain sight, glinting across the sparkling Firth of Forth. The Forth bridges cast a resplendent vista to the west, with the new Queensferry Crossing looking akin to triangular sails on a ship. Taking a moment to enjoy the surge of waves reverberating on the shore, and immersing myself in the curious rock formations (this time certainly far less intrepid to navigate with the tide in), one felt heartily content with life. Turning east, the coastal path loops around a harbour of boats bobbing on the calmer waters, before crossing a small bridge to meander upward. Dogs barked and splashed into the sea chasing tennis balls, with cries of delight and dismay from their owners, and the current scene here seemed an idyllic, peaceful place; a far cry from history, when paddle-boat steamers used to visit the village in Victorian times at regular intervals, putting Aberdour on the map as a keenly desired tourist destination. A viewpoint can be reached by following the path up some stone steps at Hawkcraig point, where the full majesty of the Firth of Forth lingers to engulf the senses. Views as far as Bass Rock and Cramond Island, and the nestled town of Burntisland, with the ever-present Binn Hill behind complete with its tall mast, are just some highlights to see. There had been rumours of hump-backed whales being sighted from here of late; alas, on this occasion, I was to be denied such a sight. Instead, the journey continued to Silver Sands beach, and ended, as is my habit, at the café there; I can totally vouch for the lemon cheesecakes! Of course, for those wanting a longer walk, a right of way continues along the coastline, alongside the railway, to Burntisland. (Photo by Catriona Parkes)

33 OUT & ABOUT

Arlen Pardoe Hidden Gems in St Andrews Focussing on features that are in plain sight, though often overlooked

World War I Memorials On Sunday, 11 November 2018 the country will commemorate 100 years since the end of World War One. It seems appropriate to record some of the WW1 memorials in St Andrews, remembering those who gave their lives in this conflict. They include plaques, rolls of honour, and stained glass windows. (Photos courtesy Arlen Pardoe)

Madras College All Saints’ Church The WW1 plaque in the The WW1 plaque in the Quadrangle has 46 names. Courtyard has 8 names.

St Andrews War Memorial St Leonards School The two WW1 plaques at the east end of North Street have 185 Plaques outside the library commemorate five names, names and appear identical to those in Holy Trinity Church. of which three died in WW1.

Holy Trinity Church Victory Memorial Hall The two plaques inside the Church The plaque inside the hall have 185 names. commemorates those who died.

St James’ Church One plaque inside the Church commemorates Captain John Ogilvy Fairlie.

34 OUT & ABOUT

St Salvator’s Chapel Eight plaques behind the altar have 131 names.

Hope Park Church Wyvern One plaque inside the Church has 6 names. A roll of honour has 86 names with A roll of honour transferred from Martyrs’ Church has 112 names. photographs of OTC members.

St Andrew’s Church St Leonard’s Church The plaque inside the church has 40 names. One plaque inside the Church has 12 names. A second one commemorates the masters and boys of Clifton Bank School.

MEMORIAL WINDOWS

Holy Trinity Church Seventeen WW1 memorial windows high up in the Clerestory depict Scottish Regiments, the RAF, and the Navy.

Martyrs’ Church (now a University St Salvator’s Chapel St Leonard’s Church research library)