Edit Summer 2000 - University of Edinburgh

understanding schizophrenia / older and wiser? / new student writing
volume two issue two
summer 2000
The University of Edinburgh Magazine
EDiT
E D i T
contents
The University of Edinburgh Magazine
volume two issue two
summer 2000
14
08
26
50
18
22
COVER STORIES
MISTAKEN IDENTITY - a study of schizophrenia. Jennifer Trueland.
DOWNSTREAM - a short story. Jennifer Hadfield.
GROWING OLD: SAGACIOUS OR SENILE? - the way we were. Ian Deary.
© The University of Edinburgh 2000
08
14
26
FEATURES
12
18
24
50
STARTER FOR TEN - Allan Little has the answers.
A MOMENTARY VIEW - a year in the life in pictures.
LETTER FROM EDINBURGH - a giant leap for womankind. Edith Pechey.
A LITTLE LOCAL DELICACY - Polynesian style. John Atherton.
REGULARS
04
22
31
32
38
EditEd - on the University news front.
ExhibitEd - the art of the University.
OMNIANA - The Peabody of the East.
LETTERS - there’s a quaich to be won.
InformEd - for Edinburgh graduates world wide.
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EDiT 3
EditEd
Queen Margrethe of
Denmark honoured
contributed
Space Shuttle
opens new
window on
Scotland’s past
A TEAM OF researchers at the University working with
specialists from NASA have made the first discovery in the
UK of an archaeological site using Imaging RADAR data
gathered by the American Space Shuttle. The site consists
of a network of previously unknown, and largely buried,
ancient roads surrounding the island headquarters of the
Lords of the Isles at Finlaggan Castle on Islay.
Gary McKay, a former U.S. Naval Research Laboratory scientist
at NASA, now specializing in archaeological applications and
working jointly in Edinburgh’s Departments of Geography and
Archaeology, made the discovery using data from the Space
Shuttle’s sophisticated multipolarimetric Imaging RADAR. Gary
said, “As soon as we had processed the image it was so obvious
that something odd was present. At first I thought it was just a
natural river course, but then realized that this ‘river’ ran up and
over the hills completely ignoring the local geological structure it just had to be artificial.” The detection of these roads (invisible
on the ground) promises to throw new light on the economy of
the early Mediaeval Lords of the Isles. These roads are likely to
provide new insights into the trade and transport systems on the
island and appear to suggest that mining may have played an
important role in the Lordship’s economy far earlier than was
previously thought.
For images of Islay from Space please go to:
www.arcl.ed.ac.uk/ islayimages/index.html
4 EDiT
THE HONORARY DEGREE of Doctor honoris causa has been conferred upon Her
Majesty The Queen of Denmark Queen Margrethe II by the Chancellor of the
University, His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The degree of Doctor honoris causa is awarded for personal achievement and
distinction in public life. There is a long history of cultural and economic links between
Denmark and Scotland. The University of Edinburgh has its own particular historic link
through King James VI of Scots, who granted the Charter founding the University.
James was married to Anna of Denmark who was Queen Consort of Scotland for 13
years before becoming the first Queen Consort of Great Britain in 1603.
FT rates
Management School
3rd in UK
THE MBA COURSES at the University of Edinburgh Management School were
recently given top ratings in a special report carried by the Financial Times. The
survey was based on student views collected from a sample of graduates from
1996 and information collected from 90+ management and business schools
around the world.
The survey placed Edinburgh 35th out of the top 70 such schools in the world. The top
three MBA providers in Britain were London Business School [ranked 8th] Cranfield
[ranked 34th] and then Edinburgh. In effect, this rated Edinburgh as the finest
Management School in Scotland and among the top ten in Europe. Edinburgh scored
particularly well for internationalism and diversity of students, course materials and
teaching, and the final destination of students. “We are delighted with this recognition of
our progress towards being a world class management school,” said Professor David
Hatherly, Director of the School. “The competition for students at this level is always
hard and such a recommendation from such an international quality paper as the FT will
help strengthen our reputation.”
The University of Edinburgh News
Robin Harper MSP
is new Rector
ROBIN HARPER MSP has been returned as the 46th Rector of the
University in succession to John Colquhoun. His term of office took
effect from 3 March 2000. The formal role of the Rectors of the four
ancient Scottish Universities - Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St.
Andrews - is to chair meetings of the Court, the governing body of
the University.
In the past, Rectors have also taken an active part in many aspects of
University life. The term of office is three years. Previous Rectors of the
University include William Ewart Gladstone, David Lloyd George, Winston
Churchill, Alistair Sim, Magnus Magnusson, and Sir David Steel. Robin
Harper, who has fought elections for the Green Party at national,
European and local level since 1986, was elected Scottish Green Party
MSP for Lothians in May 1999 as the UK’s first Green parliamentarian.
Corrie
debugged
PHOTOGRAPHED IN one of the recently
completed consultation rooms at the
new Hospital for Small Animals is King
Charles Spaniel ‘Corrie’ who had been
brought in by her owner with a very
irritating case of harvest mites or
‘berry bugs’.
Harvest mites are tiny insects which live
on grass and are often picked up by
passing dogs. Thanks to diagnosis and
treatment by the Director of the Hospital
for Small Animals, Andrew Burnie, Corrie
experienced a bug-free millennium.
EDiT 5
EditEd
First Chinese graduate remembered
AT THE INITIATIVE and with the support of the University’s General Council, a plaque to Dr
Wong Fun, the first Chinese graduate of the University of Edinburgh, has been erected on
the wall of the Centre for Asian Studies in Buccleuch Place. It was unveiled by the Chinese
Consul General, Wang Weiyang. Born in 1828 in the Heong-San district in Kwangtung
(Guangdong Province) a few miles from Macao, Wong Fun received his education with the
Morrison Education Society, which had been founded in memory of the missionary
Reverend Dr Robert Morrison to set up schools at which native Chinese youths could be
educated to a high standard and perhaps be sent to Europe or America to complete their
education.
In 1847, Wong Fun left for America and, after graduating from Monson Academy, Massachusetts,
he came to Edinburgh to complete his education under the patronage of, initially, Andrew
Shortrede, the Scots founding editor of The China Mail, and, subsequently, the Edinburgh Medical
Missionary Society. He graduated MD from the University in the summer of 1855. In his address to
the new graduates, Professor James Young Simpson made special mention of Wong Fun, referring
to him as “the first Chinese, I believe, who has ever graduated at a European University”. He
returned to China in August 1856 under the auspices of the London Missionary Society to take up
a post as medical missionary at a hospital in Canton, and died on 12 October 1878.
Later this year the University is to erect a series of 25 plaques dedicated to eminent former
students. They will positioned in a number of sites around the University as part of the University’s
programme of events to mark the Millennium.
Decisive days
THE VISTA Mentoring Programme,
sponsored this year by Diageo
Foundation and United Distillers and
Vintners, has once again proved
successful in matching students’
career aspirations with mentors’
career experience.
The programme aims to give
penultimate year undergraduate students
from various subject areas the knowledge
and skills to help them plan their career to
reach a high level of managerial
responsibility. This year 35 students from
the University of Edinburgh and 15 from
Queen Margaret University College were
matched - awareness of issues for career
success. For the student, there is the
opportunity to work shadow, network, and
prepare for job seeking and employment;
and for the mentor, the chance to build on
existing skills. Pictured at the launch of
the 2000 programme in UDV’s former
building in Edinburgh is Programme
Director Isabel Turnbull (centre), 3rd year
University of Edinburgh Business Studies
student Kathryn McCall, and her mentor
Sandra Newman of Citibank.
If you are interested in becoming a
mentor on the 2000/2001 programme or
would like further information, please
contact Isabel Turnbull on 0131 651 1538
or Isabel.Turnbull@ed.ac.uk
A NEW SERIES of historical videos, ‘Decisive Days
of World War Two’, is now available from the
University of Edinburgh Centre. The series is the
outcome of a collaboration between David
McWinnie's Lamancha Productions Ltd, an
independent film production company based in
Newington, and the History Department's Centre
for Second World War Studies.
The series opens up the question of why, and how,
Nazi Germany was defeated. In the course of six 30minute filmed talks, illustrated with original archive
footage, six leading historians each pinpoint a single
day which, they personally believe, marked a critical
turning point in the war.
Each historian places the day in the overall context
of the war, describes in detail the events of that day,
and explains why, in his or her view, these events
were ultimately decisive in bringing about the downfall
of the Third Reich. The six presenters and their
'decisive days' are as follows: Professor Brian Bond
(King's College London): 10 May 1940 - Churchill
comes to power; Professor John Erickson (The
University of Edinburgh): 27 March 1941 - The
Yugoslav Coup; Dr David Stafford (The University of
Edinburgh): 9 May 1941 - The capture of U-110;
Professor Richard Overy (King's College London): 23
January 1943 - The Casablanca Conference and the
Combined Bomber Offensive; Dr Jill Stephenson (The
University of Edinburgh): 18 February 1943 Goebbels' Total War speech; Professor Richard Holmes
(Cranfield University): 25 July 1944 - Operation Cobra.
6 EDiT
photograph Mike Wilkinson
A vision of the future
photograph Jonathon Littlejohn
The Chancellor’s
eye view
ON A RECENT visit to the University, the Chancellor, His Royal Highness,
The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited the City Art Centre to see the
University exhibition A Momentary View which was on show from January
to March 2000. This striking collection of documentary photographs
portrays an impressive range of activities behind the scenes at a major
university.
As well as depicting common-place occurrences at the University, such as
Freshers week, student elections, exams and graduations, the photographers
have captured many activities that normally go unseen, including sports day at
the nursery and work at the University’s new Hospital for Small Animals.
Amongst the more exceptional events covered are crowds at the opening of the
Scottish Parliament, student sky-gazers during the solar eclipse, and the filming
of ‘Great Expectations’ in the University’s Old College Quad. A selection of the
photographs can be seen on pp18-21
Ian Rankin opens
new Library
concourse
IAN RANKIN, the best-selling crime novelist, who is the current
University of Edinburgh/Royal Bank of Scotland Alumnus of the Year,
has formally opened the refurbished Edinburgh University Main
Library concourse.
The Library, designed and built by Basil Spence, is a major 1960s
building and the designs for the refurbishment were sensitive to the
original design while taking account of the need for change. A substantial
sum has been spent on improving lighting, enhancing fire safety, creating
a joint resource centre help desk, and creating a new service desk and
entry doors in the entrance concourse. The resource centre has been
specially designed to be friendly to disabled people, and the new service
desk, replacing the original, is better suited to the requirements of a highly
automated library for the 21st century.
And the winner
is…EDiT
THE PREVIOUS - relaunched - issue of EDiT has
won two major awards.
In February, the magazine won a Gold Award in
the Alumni Publication category of the annual
Higher Education Information Services Trust (HEIST)
Marketing Awards. This is a UK-wide competition
attracting entries from throughout the higher
education sector. In May, there was further success
when EDiT won the top award from judges in the
External Magazine section of the Communicators in
Business 2000 awards. This is the UK's largest and
most prestigious corporate communications
competition, and allowed us to measure ourselves successfully - against the commercial world.
EDiT 7
Mistaken
Identity
Jennifer Trueland talks to Professor Eve Johnstone
about schizophrenia and a very special group of
patients and their families.
S
chizophrenia is one of the most
common major psychiatric disorders and affects around
one per cent of the population throughout the world.
There are no tests for the condition as such - people are
diagnosed on the basis of their description of their own
mental experiences and according to whether they
display characteristic forms of behaviour.
ONE OF THE SADDEST facts about the condition is the age at which it strikes.
On average men are diagnosed age 23 and for women it’s 27. It was that, partly,
which drew Eve Johnstone herself to psychiatry as a medical student in Glasgow previously she had rather fancied neurology. But meeting patients with
schizophrenia changed her mind and sparked what was to become a lifelong
interest. “These people were the same age as me, about 21 at that time, and they
had been hit by this dreadful disorder. It seemed to have come upon them out of
the blue. It had a real effect on me. It was one of the most bizarre and frightening
things that I had ever seen,” she says.
At that time perceived wisdom on schizophrenia was that it was a disorder quite
possibly brought on by disturbed patterns of communication within the family.
“This seemed wildly improbable to me - and nobody believes it now. You know
they used to sometimes ban the mother from visiting, say it was her fault. I can
imagine how I would feel if I was a mother in that situation.” Now, the prevailing
wisdom is that schizophrenia, like so many other conditions, has an element of
nature and nurture.
What we do know, however, is that it runs in families. In the children of one
schizophrenic parent, the incidence is about ten per cent, as compared with just
under one per cent in the general population. When both parents are affected, the
chance goes up to about 40 per cent. About ten per cent of the brothers or sisters
of someone with schizophrenia will develop the disease and this figure shoots up to
about 50 per cent for identical twins, who are the nearest thing we have to a genetic
double. It is with the background of the knowledge of the importance of family
history in predicting who will develop the disease that Eve Johnstone was inspired
to undertake her current research, which involves trying to find out what changes
happen shortly before a person becomes ill - the aim being, of course, to facilitate
the development of therapies which might lessen or even prevent that first psychotic
episode which will herald, at the very least, a lifetime’s fear of a second or more.
EDiT 9
T
HE OPPORTUNITY CAME up shortly after Eve Johnstone
moved to Edinburgh. The Medical Research Council was
calling for proposals for clinical research. She wanted to do
something which would be uniquely possible in Scotland, with
its less mobile, smaller and more family-oriented society. What
she set out to do was find young people, aged 16 to 25, with a
strong family history of schizophrenia (two close relatives or
more), examine them and keep on examining them until they
either became ill or passed the age at which the disease comes
on. “Genetic work is difficult in London because people are
more mobile. In Scotland people keep in touch with their
families. They know where their sister is, how many children
their cousin has.”
The study, which became known as the Edinburgh High Risk
Project, began in 1994. Originally there were sceptics. Concern
was expressed that she wouldn’t find enough recruits and that
those she did sign up would drop off, particularly if they became
ill. But that wasn’t the case - even if she did have to spread her
net Scotland-wide to come up with enough families. Sounding
almost matter-of-fact, she explains: “We knew there was a 10-15
per cent risk, we knew we needed 20 to 30 cases, so we needed
a minimum of 200 people. To wait for people to become ill may
sound cynical, but we cannot at present stop that illness from
developing and the study gives us a real opportunity of
extending our understanding of the basis of the illness so that
we can find treatments which will work.”
Eve Johnstone has tremendous respect for the families who
were approached to take part. Recruitment involved asking
families of known patients if there was anyone in the right age
group, then asking the parents, then finally asking the young
people. The majority said yes. “These people know they have
schizophrenia in their family. One woman told me that
“
The implication is that
individuals who are liable to
develop schizophrenia may
be identifiable before the
onset of symptoms.
whenever a new baby was born, she would look at it,
wondering if the baby would be affected. They know this
research may be too late to help them, but that it might help
others in the future.”
The study, helped by substantial funding from the Medical
Research Council and by generous donations from a trust,
facilitated by a grateful father of a former patient, has involved
carrying out sophisticated magnetic resonance (MR) scanning
of the subjects’ brains to ascertain if the brain abnormalities
associated with schizophrenia are present in high risk people.
Tests on cognitive function are also carried out. The study
concluded that people at high risk of developing schizophrenia
for genetic reasons have several abnormalities of the brain
before symptoms of the illness appear, brain abnormalities
similar to those in patients with the disorder. The implication
is that individuals who are liable to develop schizophrenia may
be identifiable before the onset of symptoms.
The results also suggested that the structural brain
abnormalities in individuals at high risk of schizophrenia are
largely due to the genetic make-up. It appears that high risk
individuals with the smallest AHC (amygdala-hippocampal
complex) or thalami, or both, are those who are most likely to
become ill in the next five to ten years. The amygdala is
increasingly acknowledged to have an important role in the
recognition and expression of emotion, and the hippocampus
is integral to preserved memory function - both are impaired
in schizophrenia. It’s also assumed that the characteristic
auditory hallucinations, the ‘voices’ of the disorder, are
associated with dysfunction of the temporal lobe, part of a
distributed neural circuitry that may include the thalamus.
E
VE JOHNSTONE has recently
been awarded further substantial
Medical Research Council funding over a 5 year
period to study the development of schizophrenia in
those from high risk families. This
will involve using the new brain
scanner at the SHEFC (Scottish
Higher Education Funding Council) Brain Imaging
Research Centre for Scotland at the Western
General Hospital in Edinburgh. It
provides ‘functional’ scans - images
of the blood flow in the brain in
response to movement or mental acts - and will allow the
investigators to see what happens to the connections between
the different parts of the brain as illness develops and mental
acts become less organised. The continued study will mean an
on-going relationship with the subjects - some of whom have
now displayed lesser or greater signs of the condition, some
have been actually diagnosed, and others are entirely well.
Eve Johnstone’s empathy with her study subjects, their
families and her patients is clear. When the first results of the
project were to be published in the Lancet, the researchers felt
they wanted to share them with those taking part and their
families, before they were put into the public domain. With
the Medical Research Council’s approval, they organised
‘soirées’ where the participants were taken through the results.
“They went down very well,” she smiles.
Jennifer Trueland is Health Correspondent on The Scotsman and graduated MA
Honours in English Literature from The University of Edinburgh in 1988.
EDiT 11
Starter for 1O
ALLAN
LITTLE
ALLAN LITTLE, the BBC’s Africa correspondent, graduated MA from the University of Edinburgh in 1982.
Did you enjoy being a student?
I think I was a bit bewildered in first
year. But the rest of it I loved. Almost
all my memories are positive ones - they
were formative, exciting, turbulent years
full of idealism and hope and
expectation. And a lot of laughs.
If you could choose again, which
subject would you study?
Philosophy. Mathematics. A language.
Did any member of staff have a
lasting influence?
I’m too shy to tell you. But my best
memories concern a small number of
people who became friends for life. I
think the people you meet and become
friends with at that time change your
life and help define who you will be for
the rest of your life. I was blessed.
Chris Fyfe taught African history and
began by challenging and over-turning
many of the conventions and
assumptions that underpin Europe’s
traditional view of Africa - and of the
whole way in which history in general is
taught and studied. Until recently
African history meant no more than the
history of colonialism - in other words
the history of Europeans in Africa.
Chris Fyfe swept all that away. In his
classes you felt like a real pioneer forging new ways of thinking about the
past. He was a real inspiration. Now,
when I report from Africa for the BBC,
I often wonder whether Chris Fyfe is
hearing or seeing my despatches and I
wonder whether I’m being true to his
vision. Chris Fyfe was the colonial
archivist in Sierra Leone before
independence. Earlier this year I was in
Freetown and discovered that he is still
remembered there with affection and
respect. I hope he knows this!
What is your worst memory
of University?
Did your degree prepare you for the
world of work?
Initially I felt surrounded by people
who seemed cleverer and better
educated than me. I now know this is a
common experience. You quickly learn
that overbearing self-esteem does not
translate itself into good exam marks,
though!
When I started in journalism a lot of
employers saw a degree as a positive
handicap. They favoured my
contemporaries who, by the age of 22,
had already chalked up 5 or 6 years’
work experience. I think that attitude
has died now. My degree? I couldn’t put
a value on it. The intellectual discipline
In which extra-curricular activities
did you indulge?
There was a general election in my first
year (1979) and I got involved in
student politics. I did a sabbatical year
as Honorary Secretary of the Students’
Association, which was very satisfying
and sometimes hilarious. I dabbled
nervously in student journalism (not
very well) and acted a few roles in the
Theatre Society, and once directed
a play.
What is your best memory
of University?
you acquire while studying is at the
heart of what you do as a journalist - it
is a continual process of a assessing
information, interpreting, making
judgements about what matters, what
doesn’t and why.
What advice would you give to new
students?
Study for its own sake and not for the
job it might get you. Study what excites
you and moves you. Enjoy your
teachers and respect them, but don’t
regard them as a separate species. Make
friends with them - teaching is only
another form of learning. And in your
class-mates, don’t think the ones with
the most self-confidence are necessarily
the brightest.
What advice would you give to
new graduates?
Get a job but don’t hurry. If you haven’t
already done it, take a year off and
travel. Don’t stop reading books just
because you’ve got no more exams to
pass. Never forget that you’ve had
access to the knowledge of the ages and that you’ve been part of a tradition
that nurtures the idea of the free mind.
That’s not available everywhere.
Cherish it and honour it all your life.
And never be cynical about the debt you
owe the University, or about the ideals
that inspire the people that make it
what it is.
What single word sums up your
University experience?
Liberating.
E D i T 13
Downstream
14 E D i T
A S H O R T S T O R Y B Y JENNIFER HADFIELD
COULDN’T BELIEVE IT when I went to
Katie’s for tea the first time and found that she
had a House: that is, her family owned both of
the main floors, also the attic and the cellar, and
these levels were reached by way of stairwells
which they didn’t have to share with any other
family. The first time I went round I couldn’t
believe Katie didn’t spend more time on the
stairs. She always asked what I wanted to do
because her mother had told her to. Her mother had
obviously also told her that having found out what your
guest had in mind you steered them towards some more
suitable activity. Katie, as a result, weasled out of me the
most uncouth suggestions possible and encouraged the
playing of them with as much noise and as many props as
possible. So she mountaineered to the attic lashing the piece
of string round her waist to the stair-rods. I, the cook at the
base-camp, watched on, always aware of the groaning and
creaking of the glacier ice and terrified that it would bring
different steps; her mother’s down the hall from the front
room, to underneath the bannister where she spied on our
activities with the same pugilistic concern for Katie’s purity as
a mother superior in a convent school. It was just like being
at Hopetoun House for my birthday every year: invisible but
tangible thick red ropes cording off all the rooms except the
playroom which had the same clean coldness as an operating
theatre. Once Katie dared me into the front room. There were
drawers on the big chest that weren’t really drawers - they
were just beaded to look like you could open them. Katie
said she had a secret compartment behind there and if I could
find the hidden mechanism she’d show me treasures from her
short employment as a cat burglar. But there was never time
to look properly. Her mother was always tapping around the
ground floor, or else that siamese that never seemed to
completely retract its claws. Whenever we ventured into the
front room it was on top of the bureau: stonily blue, its sides
curved with value, untouchable as a ming dynasty vase.
Those eyes saw everything and wordlessly conveyed the
threat I’m telling on you. I didn’t care if I didn’t see in the secret
compartment. There were still the staircases and staircases
were always more exciting than where they led. Whilst
staircases were unroped with no signs telling you not to
dawdle there, you still knew it wasn’t allowed.
I
I WOULD’VE PREFERRED to spend my afternoon in the
Dean, but Katie wasn’t allowed. However, every third
Thursday Katie took me as her guest to the Dean swimming
baths and when we walked through the village she asked me
what games we’d play once she was allowed. I told her we’d
do Medieval France in the sandstone closes, when we crossed
the bridge I showed her how we’d send Jungle Explorers
down the Water of Leith, hugging my thin sausage of towel
between my skirt and the damp lichen on the stone so I could
lean over and show her without getting green on it. But none
of this compared with flying for Katie. She told me, “Oh
you’ll never understand, you not having staircases, and all,
but I fly downstairs every morning. You can only do it when
no-one’s looking of course and just as well, I’d only get youknow-who riled.” What she wanted most from Dean was the
long cobbled hill from the main road to the river. “That’d be
a record. That’d be the furthest I’d ever flown: I bet I if I got
my speed up on that hill I could make it to Leith. Then I
could get a boat.” I checked the clock on the church. We had
to get to the baths.
WHEN WE WENT in I had to sign my name in the guest
book and that was yet another contract to perfect behaviour.
No shouting, no splashing, respect for others partaking of the leisure
facilities at all times - a catechism fierce as the Word of God
reminded me at regular intervals along the walls. Like her
mother, Katie talked religion a lot; but not like you were
meant to. She said, “Oh God”, and “Jesus Christ!” and when
her mother heard her she hissed, “Katie: blasphemy!” with a
dreadful and cryptic glower. I wasn’t sure what blasphemy
meant but I could tell it deserved worse than a smack by the
tone of her mother’s voice, and by the way that Katie went
defiantly pink. Once in the changing rooms I made straight
for one of the two cubicles. The room had two long benches
over its tiles where Katie changed with no sense of panic or
urgency. She didn’t even make a towel tent around herself.
Then she’d kick impatiently against my door whilst I fussed
over my swimming cap - horrible thing like a cold hand
clamped over your head turning you to face Katie’s mother,
rigid with the blasphemy glare. That was what it was like
spending time at Katie’s house. It was a clammy nervousness
always tugging at the little hairs behind my ears and at my
forehead. Katie’s costume was pink and not quite as secure
around the neck and armpits as you’d like. She didn’t care:
her mother never saw it on her so she was safe. Her eyebrows
only showed up when they were wet - ginger - and until the
free strands of hair were wet they clashed joyously with the
pink rubber cap. When she took the hat off her hair was
EDiT and Polygon support student writing. The University of Edinburgh has already produced a string
of talented writers. To encourage the next generation, Polygon - the fiction and poetry imprint of
Edinburgh University Press - are kindly sponsoring the award of a prize to the best short story
submitted to each issue of EDiT by a current undergraduate at the University of Edinburgh.
To begin the series, Jennifer Hadfield, a 4th year Honours student of English Literature, writes for EDiT.
E D i T 15
18 E D i T
N THE POOL I slid as decorously as possible
down the wooden ladder. I avoided the gutter
that ran around the pool. The worst I’d find
would be dead plasters and the usual sliminess
of tiles but that was enough to make me panic.
I also avoided the vent for warm water. You
could crouch in the shallow end in front of the
vent and the water pulsing through felt good in
a way you knew didn’t agree with the ten
commandments on the walls: it was hot as urine. Katie told
me this. I pretended to prefer my circuits of breaststroke,
trying to say a polite good afternoon to the old ladies through
a moustache of water: half otter, half minister. When they
installed the swing-hoops over the little pool Katie was
ecstatic. I refused to swing but as I was Katie’s guest I had to
follow her to the other pool. I was daring enough, in my new
and reassuringly tight black swimsuit, to practise being a
floating mushroom. Katie was desperate to make it across the
full line of hoops but she was always having to divebomb me
to hide that she couldn’t make it. And she was always
shouting look at me, look at me, O.K. nearly, I’ll do it next time,
watch, watch so it was quite a rebellion when this time I curled
into my blind self-centred mushroom shape mid-swoop. Katie
realised it was a rebellion too. I didn’t look at her until I
needed air so badly my body was fighting itself to get out of
the mushroom. She was still swinging from the first hoop,
kicking wildly for momentum. When she saw I was looking
again she hooked her spare arm under her armpit like a
baboon and yelled you look like a monkey and you smell...so
loud the attendants started making towards us and she didn’t
finish her sentence because she saw the attendants too and
she panicked, she just dropped hickory dickory like a mouse
off a pendulum. When she landed on the tiles her arm was
still hooked under her side. I was laughing already because
she was about to bounce up and down on her haunches
gibbering. I could see the blue veins on her forehead, and an
awful colour seeping suddenly onto the tiles, I could see her
flat plastered dark hair and the pink bathing hat and she
wasn’t bouncing up and down on her haunches. I kept
thinking someone set fire to your head as the attendants rushed up
and they carried her away and I think they took her to the
Western General. Someone told me to get dressed and then
forgot about me. I didn’t know what to do. Wait with her
clothes, take them home, or what? I didn’t want to walk out
with them because one of the commandments said ‘no
stealing’ and stealing was what it would look like. It was
horrible, I was a guest without my host, it was like something
out of the Bible.
I
Downstream
alive with dryness and static inside a witch ring of flat
plastered toffee. Someone set light to your head, I always thought,
but never dared say.
IN THE END I just bolted, towel and costume damp in an
armpit that was clenched with fear. And then I spent an
evening waiting to be summoned. The summons didn’t come
and I spent the night awake, and the next day with no
appetite, waiting for my encounter with the blasphemy stare
and wondering what Katie’s mother was going to do to me.
But that summons never came, just Katie finally, one August
evening before we started at our new school. She still wasn’t
allowed to play in the Dean Village so there was nothing for
us to do but sit decorously in her playroom. She grumbled
that by the time she was allowed to play with me there I
wouldn’t want to and I fibbed of course I will, of course I will. But
I couldn’t bear the thought of her running down those stone
steps worn into uneven basins, hurtling full tilt towards the
slippery mud by the river. Each time I thought about it my
eyes were stung by that white scar above her left cheek. She
got tired of me asking her if she was alright; she said, “What,
do you want to play nurses?” and when she tackled me to the
ground I yelled stop it, stop it, stop it. So I wasn’t surprised when
I heard her, in our new high school, telling the other girls I
was an uncommon scaredycat. I wasn’t surprised when they
started feinting and jabbing around me, seeing if they could
make me cry. (They could.) My mother had always said Katie
would be a beauty; but dressed in cruel brown uniform with
her big shoulders and the fearsome prestige of her tits you
didn’t dare look too long at the colours of the hair and skin
and irises. But every time she came near me the first thing I
saw was that white scar like a Cheshire Cat’s smile. It blazed
when she was hot and redfaced, white as her teeth. I hid in
the toilets for ten minutes every day after school so she
wouldn’t think I was trying to walk back with her. But one
day she must have walked slowly too - because when I got to
the bridge in the Dean she was there, leaning over the water.
I could hear from the top of the cobbled hill the crack as she
bit into her apple from lunch. Her mum had her on a diet
and she was always complaining she was hungry so I wasn’t
sure why she didn’t eat it at lunchtime. But with the relish
she bit into it I assumed eating outdoors in public was still
forbidden. I snuck down the little close from the main road
to the bridge and watched her. It was a Granny Smith. She
didn’t wipe her mouth and her chin was getting enamelled
with the drying juice. All the strength in her long bully’s
shoulders and tennis thickened calves went into cracking
chunks of green flesh off the apple like she was pickaxing ice
off a glacier. She ate the stem and the core and then she spat
the pips she’d prised out of the tough centre pockets into the
Water of Leith. She grabbed handfulls of twigs and hurled
them in, and then from her school bag a crisp packet, and
with a small splosh her lunchbox. And then she just stood,
regardless of the lichen stains on her skirt, watching the whole
freight disappear into the little rapids and down the water to
the docks.
E D i T 17
18 E D i T
A Momentary View
Edinburgh,
The University in the City
photographs by
Tricia Malley and Ross Gillespie
E D i T 19
Earlier this year, a striking collection of new photographs by University photographers Tricia Malley and Ross Gillespie was on
show at Edinburgh's City Art Centre. Tricia and Ross were commissioned to document the life of the University in the last year
A Momentary View
of the 20th century, and the images reflect the broad range of activities at the University and the people who make it all happen.
'A Momentary View' showed the public face of an institution in the heart of the city, as well as life behind the scenes. The
commonplace and the exceptional, the familiar and the unnoticed were combined to celebrate an ending and a beginning.
sponsors
Photobition / B&S Visual Technologies
Metro Imaging
Edinburgh First
Printing Services / The University of Edinburgh
Visual Resources / The University of Edinburgh
E D i T 21
ExhibitEd
The Talbot Rice Gallery
The Talbot Rice Gallery in Old College is the Art Gallery of the University of Edinburgh. Opened in 1975, it was
named after David Talbot Rice, Professor of Fine Art at the University from 1934 to 1972. The gallery has two
main spaces: the Red Gallery devoted to showing part of the University Torrie Collection of Old Master
paintings and bronzes; and the White Gallery showing approximately seven temporary exhibitions per year.
1
2
1 from Jim Harold’s Twilight Enclosures
2 Bruce McLean The Arch of Arts 1999
3 Chad McCail People Build Homes and Grow Food 1999
4 Elizabeth Blackadder Dark Pond, Alhambra Granada 1997
5 Ainslie Yule Seven Eight (Black Suspended)
22 E D i T
Twilight Enclosures
by Jim Harold
Wall Sculptures
by Ainslie Yule
Place, Performance, Pose,
Predict, Position, Project,
Political by Bruce McLean
Vael by Alistair MacLennan
JIM HAROLD used the University’s own
collection of classical casts as the basis
for this unique exhibition. The idea of the
casts having their own existence and a
relationship to one another was
suggested by a large wooden
construction in the main floor of the
gallery which housed the busts of four
philosophers. Harold’s own beautiful
photographs and some smaller casts
completed the installation.
AINSLIE YULE left Scotland to work in
the south nearly twenty five years ago.
And although in those intervening
decades he has continued to work very
creatively and has exhibited widely, he
has not exhibited very much in Scotland.
Indeed this exhibition was his first oneman show in his native country for more
than ten years. In that time, therefore,
although his work may not have been
seen very much in Scotland, it has not
been forgotten, nor indeed have its
central concerns changed: finding the
significance that can inhabit a form, not
because of any association, but simply
because of an inherent, mysterious
poetry that resides in shape, texture and
colour. Sometimes this poetry is reached
by a process of visible construction, and
in this exhibition there are strange,
laminated wooden objects, beautifully
made, apparently almost functional, but
whose function is enigma. Over the
years he has been very consistent and
some of these constructions are
reminiscent of works that he made
before he left Scotland.
The Gallery opened the new century with
a major project on the work of BRUCE
McLEAN. His quixotic energy was
exemplified by several large canvases,
his performance work documented in
photographs, and his interest in
education and innovation demonstrated
by his huge conceptual model for a
‘Pythagorean” Primary School. This
model, constructed from cast iron, took
the form of three giant open cubes
containing and supporting school desks
surfaced with copper, glass and sand,
and bearing engravings which put
forward the artist’s visionary ideas. As
part of the exhibition the Talbot Rice
Gallery hosted a major symposium on
this educational concept.
Vael is ALISTAIR MacLENNAN’s
response to the University’s Hope Scott
collection of 20th century paintings particularly the important group of works
by William Johnstone. The exhibition
gave birth to a symposium and
MacLennan used items from the Hope
Scott Collection together with other
illustrative props to create an ‘actuation’
within the Gallery.
all photographs contributed
3
4
5
British Art Show 5
Collecting Cities;
Lip Service;
Tarpot
29 July to 15 September
The Talbot Rice Gallery was one of seven
Edinburgh venues selected for the
launch of this major exhibition of
contemporary British art. This National
Touring Exhibition was curated by the
Hayward Gallery and artists were
carefully matched to each venue. Six
artists were on show at the Talbot Rice
Gallery: Paula Rego in the Red Gallery;
Sarah Lucas, David Musgrave, Chad
McCail and Billy Childish in the White
Gallery; and Richard White in the Round
Room.
In the summer the Gallery played host to
three exhibitions running concurrently:
COLLECTING CITIES in the White Gallery
provided an opportunity to view the
fascinating collection of paintings and
drawings which belonged to the
Edinburgh philosopher and polymath
Patrick Geddes; LIP SERVICE in the Red
Gallery took a millennial look at disability
issues through the medium of seven
different art projects; and TARPOT - a
garden about Scotland in the Round
Room was a documentary exhibition
from the conceptual garden created for
the international Chaumont sur Loire
Festival.
This year’s Festival Exhibition will focus
on the work of ELIZABETH BLACKADDER.
Elizabeth Blackadder is one of the best
known and most respected artists in
Scotland and the UK and an Honorary
Graduate of this University. Linked closely
to the recent monograph on the artist by
Professor Duncan Macmillan, this
exhibition will show some new paintings
and a carefully selected retrospective
group of work.
For further details, contact the
Talbot Rice Gallery Tel: 0131 650 2085
✱
The Matthew
Architecture Gallery
The Matthew Architecture Gallery, housed in the
University’s Department of Architecture at 20 Chambers
Street, has a varied series of architecture-related
exhibitions throughout the year, covering contemporary
and historical work as well as associated disciplines
such as design.
The Gallery is open during term time from 10am-8pm
Monday to Friday, and from 10:30am-2:30pm on
Saturday and Sunday, (10.30am-4.30 pm Monday to
Friday outwith University term-time). For information on
forthcoming exhibitions, Tel: 0131 650 2306
✱
The Historic
Instruments Collection
The University maintains Scotland’s leading collection of
historic musical instruments which are on display in the
Reid Concert Hall in Bristo Square. On show are around
1,000 items from around the world, representing the
instrument maker’s art over the past 400 years. Normal
opening hours are from 3-5pm on Wednesdays and
from 10am-1pm on Saturdays. (and 2-5pm, Monday to
Friday, during the Edinburgh International Arts Festival).
Tel: 0131 650 2423
The Interactive Sound
Laboratory, a unique, new
attraction in Britain, has
opened within the Historic
Instruments Collection.
Developed by the
University in partnership
with museums in Brussels,
Leipzig and Paris, the
Laboratory provides a
‘hands-on’ demonstration
of how musical
instruments work using the latest interactive computer
technology. Visitors will be able to see how a trumpet
works and play notes on a real trumpet using artificial
lips. They will, with guidance, be shown how to play a
violin, an assortment of other string instruments, and
use interactive computers to explore the sounds of
instruments.
✱
The Russell Collection of
Early Keyboard Instruments
Housed in the 18th century St Cecilia’s Hall, on the
corner of the Cowgate and Niddry Street, the Russell
Collection is one of the world’s most important
collections of early keyboard instruments, including
pianos and harpsichords, ranging from the 16th to 19th
centuries. The Collection is open 2-5pm on Wednesdays
and Saturdays (except public and University holidays)
and Mondays - Saturdays 10.30am-12.30pm during the
Edinburgh International Arts Festival. Admission and
guided tour, £1.00 (conc. 50p). Catalogues and a Guide
to the Collection are on sale. Tel: (0131) 650 2423
✱
The Natural History Collection
This extensive teaching collection of specimens and
models of all kinds of animals can be seen by prior
arrangement during Easter and Summer vacations.
Enquiries to the Institute of Cell, Animal & Population
Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, King’s Buildings, West
Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT. Tel: Dr Pat Preston
(0131) 650 5477 or Dr B.E. Matthews (0131) 650 5474.
E D i T 23
illustration PAUL BLOW
letter
from Edinburgh
15 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh
Oct. 23rd [1869]
My dearest Aunt,
The daughter of the Baptist minister at
Langham, near Colchester in Essex,
EDITH PECHEY (1846-1908) was one
of the four women who joined Sophia
Jex-Blake in applying for and insisting on
admittance to the University of
Edinburgh in 1869 to study medicine.
They were the first women medical
undergraduates in a British university;
but, in spite of great success in their
studies, they were not allowed to
graduate. Pechey should have had the
Hope Scholarship in Chemistry in 1870
but Professor Alexander Crum Brown
was barred from awarding it to her
because she was a woman; 20 years
later Philippa Fawcett was placed above
the Senior Wrangler in the Mathematics
Tripos list at Cambridge, but her gender
too barred the University from offering
her the award. Pechey eventually
obtained her MD from the University of
Bern, as well as the LRCP Ireland in
1877. She worked at the Cama Hospital,
Bombay and was elected a Fellow of the
University of Bombay. She married Mr
H. M. Phipson of Bombay in 1890,
retaining her own name as
Pechey-Phipson.
This letter was written shortly after the
group of five had passed the
Matriculation Examination and were
awaiting the decision on their admission
to the University.
24 E D i T
our kind letter was most welcome and encouraging,
coming when it did in the midst of difficulties with
professors &c. I am always glad to get the good wishes
of those whose opinion I value, and it pains me
extremely when I find that some of those I love cannot agree
with me, though I am quite sure that if they thought about it as
long and carefully as I have done they would come to see that it
is a right and good step. You may be sure if I had not seen it to
be not only the right path, but absolutely the path of duty, I
should not have attempted anything which for the first year at
least, will be attended with much disagreeable opposition besides
the great dislike I have to doing anything which must bring me
at all prominently forward. You will be glad to hear that all our
class passed the exam which took place last Tuesday and
Wednesday, and I believe I may say I did not disgrace the cause.
Our papers I believe were much above the average & we had
very good marks in all. Now I think there is less chance of their
refusing us admittance. The Council meets in a few days & their
decision will do much towards deciding our fate. We have two
classes arranged for the first term, Physiology and Chemistry &
we mean to do well in both. I am determined there shall be no
handle for the Opposition on that score.
Has Sarah returned to you yet? I have not heard from her at
all since we parted: I suppose she has not felt equal to writing & I
have been too busy to write to her. She made a sort of half
promise to come and see me before she left England but I am
afraid it would not do. The winds here are so bitter & they say
they are worse in the Spring.
I am living with another student who has a house here - Miss
Jex Blake the originator of the movement to whom we owe all;
and I assure you it requires no ordinary woman to be the prime
mover in a movement like this. She must make up her mind to
bear rudeness & coarseness from many making high profession
of gentility.
Will you please give my love to Mr Cransbrough & all my
cousins. I shall be very pleased if Emily will send me a few lines
now & then to say how you all are.
Y
Ever dearest Aunt
with much love
Yr affecte niece
Edith Pechey
E D i T 27
26 E D i T
A research team in the Department of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh is searching for the secrets of a
mentally and physically healthy old age. Brown paper packages tied up with string
turned out to be one of Professor Ian Deary’s favourite things.
g
rowing Old :
A
BOUT FOUR YEARS
ago a colleague and I
unearthed a near-forgotten
collection of Scottish data
that promise to answer
some of the trickiest questions in the
psychology of growing old.
Populations in the West are shifting
towards a greater proportion of older
people. In tandem with the better-known
physical changes of age, the brain grows
old too. Some, but not all, mental skills
decline, especially from the seventh
decade. The quality of life in old age is
affected by how well mental ability is
maintained. A healthy mind begets, to a
degree, a healthy and happy, not to say
serene, old age. But some people’s
thinking skills stay relatively sharp while
others’ are blunted. These differences in
the ageing of the brain’s functions have
become a priority in recent research.
Irritatingly, one essential datum is almost
always missing from studies trying to
discover why people differ in cognitive
ageing: the way they were. It is almost
impossible to tell how much a person’s
mental abilities have changed if one does
not know what they used to be.
HERE’S THE PROBLEM. Examine the
mental abilities of a group of older
people. Some score better than others on
tests of memory, reasoning, perception,
SAGACIOUS
?
or SENILE
and so forth. That does not provide
information about what the slings and
arrows of a half-century’s miscellaneous
fortunes have wreaked on the brain. The
high scorers might always have scored
highly. The low scorers might always have
been practical rather than cerebral;
common-sensical rather than brainy. The
interesting people are those who held
steady or even improved their thinking
skills with age. And those who have slid
down the slope into cognitive disability
are interesting too, though more
poignantly. To find out the extent to
which people have altered in their
thinking skills one must know their
former level. The problem is that studies
of old people’s intellectual functions
rarely have access to mental ability test
scores from earlier in life. Such data are of
a value that is hard to overestimate. That
is why the rediscovery of the Scottish
Mental Survey data will be so important
for this area of research.
A total of 101 people sat
looking at the same test
questions 66 years on, I read
out the same instructions,
and the same time limits
were maintained.
Such a parcel of data
in a nation
ON MONDAY 1 JUNE 1932 all
children born in 1921 and attending
school in Scotland sat a mental test 87,498 of them! This exercise was called
the Scottish Mental Survey 1932. The
suggestion to conduct the survey
originated from the first Professor in my
own Department, James Drever. The
proportion of the population who missed
out was so small that it hardly matters.
The test was a version of one of Sir
Godfrey Thomson’s Moray House Tests,
as used in the English 11-plus
examinations. He, the Professor of
Education at the University of
Edinburgh, was a member of the testing
committee and the exercise was run
under the auspices of the Scottish
Council for Research in Education
(Robert Rusk was the Director at that
time). Scotland’s 35 Education
Committees, and the Directors of
Education, consented to the study.
Teachers administered and scored the
tests. The purpose of the exercise was to
discover the distribution of the ability of
the age group, and to use the data as an
aid in formulating educational provision.
The same exercise was repeated in 1947,
involving 70,805 people born in
1936. This was the 1947 Scottish
Mental Survey.
E D i T 27
SAGACIOUS or SENILE?
AT THE TIME and for some years
thereafter, the Scottish Mental Surveys
were internationally renowned. The data
on mental ability and demographic,
educational and physical factors had
academic and practical worth. But
researchers have a short attention span,
and research agendas move on. As the
eleven year olds of 1932 celebrated their
half-centuries and passed through
retirement and into their three score
years and ten, and more, the Scottish
Mental Surveys were known to few of the
younger researchers in the field of mental
ability differences. But, during 60 years
of changes and flitting to three different
Edinburgh addresses, the Scottish
Council for Research in Education
farsightedly retained the data from the
Surveys. The ledgers and brown-papertied-with-string parcels of data, recorded
in copperplate writing, were safely
stacked and locked away, maturing to a
research resource of unparalleled
richness.
Unlocking the treasure chest
SOME TIME IN 1996, Professor
Lawrence Whalley of the Department of
Mental Health at the University of
Aberdeen called me to ask whether there
might be some mileage in administering
mental tests to the Aberdeen Birth
Cohort from 1921. This medical study
28 E D i T
cohort was studied for cardiovascular
disease. Not really, I replied, because,
without prior mental test data,
information on current mental ability
could not give information about relative
changes in cognition as a result of disease.
Coincidentally, at that time, I was
reading a book which referred to a study
conducted by the Scottish Council for
Research in Education on people born in
1921. I called Professor Whalley back;
the Aberdeen cohort might indeed be
worth retesting, because many of them
had had their mental ability tested at age
11 years! The data were tracked down to
a safe bunker in the Council’s offices in
St John Street, Edinburgh.
Professor Whalley’s interests in
dementia and mine in human
intelligence - and a shared interest in
cognitive decline - combined well in
envisaging and realising the potential of
the Scottish Mental Survey data. Now, a
few years on, a study of the Lothian Birth
Cohort 1921, funded by the
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences
Research Council, and parallel studies in
Aberdeen are under way. People in their
late 70s, from the 1932 Survey, and in
their early 60s, from the 1947 Survey, are
coming back to be retested. The purpose
is to discover the social, educational,
medical, psychological and genetic
factors that assist people, over a lifetime,
to preserve their mental abilities. In other
words, to find the secrets of a sagacious
and successful old age.
Still stable after all these years
WITH CURRENT RESEARCH
underway on a study that began in the
Scottish Council for Research in
Education’s offices in 1932, there should
not be too much of a rush to anticipate
results. Hundreds of people in their late
70s have been tested at the University’s
Wellcome Trust Clinical Research
Facility at the Western General Hospital;
many more have yet to be contacted and
seen in the laboratories in Edinburgh and
Aberdeen. Nevertheless, the studies
progress in the knowledge that, because
of the Scottish Mental Surveys, there
exist valid mental test data on an entire
population, now old, and that Scotland
can be the source of some first-rate
research on the determinants of
differences in cognitive ageing.
SOME DIVIDEND, THOUGH, has
come through already. On 1 June 1998
the Aberdonian participants in the 1932
survey came back for a mass-retesting on
the Moray House Test at the Music Hall
in Aberdeen’s Union Street. At this
memorable meeting, and a smaller one a
few weeks later, a total of 101 people sat
looking at the same test questions 66
years on, to the very day. I read out the
same instructions as those teachers from
1932, and the same time limits were
maintained. The results: first, that the
The ledgers and brownpaper-tied-with-string
parcels of data, recorded in
copperplate writing, were
safely stacked and locked
away, maturing to a
research resource of
unparalleled richness.
70-somethings scored quite a bit better
than they did at age 11; second, that
mental ability differences are pretty stable
from age 11 to age 77; with some
interesting exceptions, the high scorers
did well and the modest remained so.
This is by far the longest follow-up study
of mental ability differences in the
scientific literature. It is the first of many
high quality publications that will arise
out of Scotland’s epoch-making surveys
in the first half of the last century.
Realising the potential
It is important that the full power of the
Scottish Mental Survey data is realised by
researchers. Professor Whalley and I have
built up our research team with
biologists, sociologists and experts in
public health. The discovery of the
Surveys has changed my whole research
programme. In the field of cognitive
ageing nothing like this has been
available before and we owe it to the
Scottish researchers of the 1930s
to appreciate the legacy we have
from them.
Ian Deary is Professor of Differential Psychology at the
University of Edinburgh and President of the International
Society for the Study of Individual Differences
omniana
No.9 The Peabody of the East
isitors to Old College often ask
about 'The Peabody of the East when
they pass the small bas-relief
sculpture of him on the wall beside the
doorway which leads from the foot of
the Grand Stairway to the Raeburn, Carstares, Lee,
and Lord Provost Elder rooms.
The Parsee businessman and philanthropist Sir
Cowasji Jehangir Readymoney (1812-1878)
appears to have had no direct connection with the
University of Edinburgh. Born into one of the
wealthiest Parsee families in India, he was the son
of Jehangir Readymoney of Bombay, and financed
much of the University of Bombay and many other
public buildings, as did other Parsee families,
notably that of Jeejeebhoy. He was a member of
the University's Faculty of Civil Engineering and
Senate, and a life-size statue of him by Woolner
stands on the University campus. He acquired the
nickname 'The Peabody of the East', seeing himself
as the Indian equivalent to the American
philanthropist George Peabody who endowed
universities and other charitable institutions in the
USA and Europe. On 14 August 1869 Punch noted
that 'Parsee money‚ was better far than parsi-
V
money'‚ after the Princess Teck had opened
Readymoney's gift of a drinking fountain to
Regent's Park in London to mark the gratitude of
the Parsees in India for the protection which they
received under British rule.
The bas-relief sculpture by Thomas Woolner
(1825-1892), one of the leading portrait sculptors of
the 19th century, is more a memorial to Sir George
Birdwood (1834-1917), who presented it to the
University. Born in Bombay and an Edinburgh
medical graduate (MD 1854), Birdwood held
professorships of anatomy and physiology and of
botany and materia medica at the Grant Medical
College, Bombay, and was appointed Registrar of
the University of Bombay when it was founded.
Birdwood also became curator of the government
museum in Bombay, and was one of the founders
of the Victoria Botanical Gardens and the Victoria
and Albert Museum in Bombay. After his retirement
to England in 1902 he devoted himself to the study
of Sanskrit and of Indian art and philology, and to
the Tory party; he is credited with popularising
the association of primroses with Lord
Beaconsfield's memory.
Peter B. Freshwater
E D i T 31
letters
Letters
Parental Sacrifices
The EDiT Prize Letter
As John Knox Intended
FLORA WATKINS’ LAMENT on the financial strains on Scottish
undergraduates of the late 1990s (EDiT, Autumn 1999), while reminding
me of how lucky I was, worries me greatly. And I am not reassured by
Alice Brown’s description a few pages later of the high aims of the
new Scottish Parliament that that august body is really determined to
promote equal opportunities for all - at least not in access to what “in
my day” was thought to be the right to a good, and free, education.
I am admittedly prejudiced. When I was a boy of about 10 my
mother embarrassed me by asking my primary school teacher,
Mrs Logie - herself a proud holder of an Edinburgh MA from the 1930s
- if I could achieve my long expressed ambition to become a doctor.
Her concerns encompassed my intelligence and our finances. While I
wanted for nothing, we lived as a family of 3 in a ground floor but ‘n
ben: one cold water sink, damp walls, a toilet down the close and an
outside washhouse that was also my bath. My father, a driver, kept us
well in food and clothes on a low income. Mrs Logie gave all the
reassurance my parents needed - apparently I had the “brains”, and,
unlike “in her days”, there would be a grant to keep me. They never
worried. Neither did I. Kirkcaldy High School provided a good Scots
education and the lad o’ pairts went - as, we’re told, John Knox
intended - to university. Grants were forthcoming and supplemented
by Christmas work as a postie or sorting out phone bells for GEC and
summer work in the local hospital. Later electives in India (supported
by Edinburgh University Travel Scholarships) and the short vacs of
medical school put paid to paid work. Of course the family helped
enormously, but the state, to which my father (and subsequently I)
paid taxes ensured that lack of financial resources in a working class
family did not discourage or deter a child, with the ability to match
ambition, to achieve his potential.
The rot set in when undergraduate loans were introduced. The then
Secretary of State for Scotland seemed, in responding to my tirade
against such a retrograde move, almost to concede it could not be fair
to all. Or perhaps I read too much between his lines.
Now in the 1990s the Parliament guarantees equality. The
melodrama of cold water but ‘n bens is a thing of the past. No able
child in a single parent family in Pilton or from a low income family in
Craigmillar could be deterred from or denied a university education in
their own city because of financial worries. Surely not?
Professor Alan Rodger
BSc(Med Sci)1968; MBChB 1971
Professor of Radiation Oncology
Monash University, Victoria, Australia
32 E D i T
BOTH MY wife and I were students at
Edinburgh from 1938 - 1942 and we read Flora
Watkins’ article almost with disbelief. How things
have changed since our days.
When were were at Edinburgh there were no
grants either for fees or maintenance and we
were both wholly supported by our parents,
neither of whom were - to use Flora’s words “comfortably off”.
Sending a child to university meant
considerable hardship for both our sets of
parents but they gladly made sacrifices for us
and I think we appreciated it although perhaps
not at the time.
Am I right in thinking that the parents of
today are not prepared to make sacrifices to help
their children? Most are, I’m quite sure,
relatively much better off than our parents were.
As a pensioner who retired over 20 years ago, I’m
staggered at the amount of money people seem
to be earning and both parents working which
was seldom the case in our student days.
Flora speaks of “parental disapproval” of their
child getting into debt - surely the remedy is in
their own hands. If, for instance, they gave up
their annual holiday in Florida or cruising in the
Mediterranean there would be no need for any
debts.
£13,880 over 4 years (accumulated debt
quoted by Flora) is not a very large sum and
represents about 10% of the amount two parents
might have earned over the same period.
Perhaps, as we see it, the saddest thing is that
Flora seems to condone and even approve debt
as a way of life. Ourselves, we have always
believed in Mr Micawber’s philosophy, but then
we are so old fashioned!
Ian and Katharyn Callan
PS My room in Cowan House cost £72 per term
and included 3 excellent meals each day! My
wife paid slightly less for her room in Masson
Hall.
PPS It would be interesting to find out who are
the oldest Edinburgh graduate couple - we have
57 years!
Ian Callan, BSc 1941
Katharyn (née Shaw) Callan, BSc 1942
Write to EDiT;; win a prize
EDiT wants to hear your views on the issues raised by contributors. The writer of the
most distinctive letter to the next issue will win a prize for their efforts.
All letters are welcome and should be addressed to Anne McKelvie, Editor, EDiT,
Communications & Public Affairs, The University of Edinburgh Centre,
7-11 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9BE.
Email: A.McKelvie@ed.ac.uk
The Burden of Debt
HOW VERY sad, Flora Watkins’ article
on the heavy burden of debt imposed on
every British student. Surely
governments ought to realise that it is
their duty to invest in the education of
youth, their country’s future?
The present system must tend to
force graduates into unsuitable work
which pays well. What of those who
want to follow a vocation in the Arts,
travel the world, “climb every
mountain”, start some small business.
The bold, the risk takers, the
imaginative, have no place in this money
driven system.
I came to Edinburgh in 1939, when
the four year honours Geology course
cost £100, £25 per year. £100 was worth
a lot more then! In those days, as a
woman, virtually all interesting jobs
were for men only, or paid very little, so
I became and remain, a free lance writer
and photographer. You couldn’t do that
sort of thing with a burden of debt.
Daphne D.C. Pochin Mould
BSc 1943, PhD 1946
Aherla, Co. Cork
The Biologe
THE TWO letters in the Autumn
edition of EDiT, recalling University
societies, set me thinking about the
Biologe (properly the Biological
Society). I believe that it no longer exists
which seems a great pity: it gave
enormous pleasure to its members
during my time at Edinburgh in the
1950s.
The Biologe met in King’s Buildings
to hear talks on various biological topics.
I am sure these were interesting at the
time but it’s our social activities that
have stuck in my mind. Beer and Skittles
nights were a regular event; these were
held either at the Sheep’s Heid at
Duddingston or the Maybury
Roadhouse at Fairmilehead; unlike
almost everywhere else they admitted
women. We had hops at KB - I can’t
remember if we provided our own music
but I do remember that one of the
Office Bearers, as Keeper of the Morals,
wore a label on his chest saying ‘Morals
Kept Here’. Talking of music - the
Biologe had a tune to which it sang the
words ‘Boyng - Boyng, Boyng, Boyng,
Boyng’; some years after I left
Edinburgh I discovered it was called
Over the Waves and was frequently
played on boats going ‘doon the watter’.
We went to all the Internationals at
Murrayfield and yelled ‘Feet Scotland’ though it didn’t seem to help much
when the Springboks won 44-0. A
cartoon in the next edition of the
Evening Dispatch (or possibly the
News) showed a notice reading ‘Wanted
15 strong men, no experience necessary.
Apply Scottish Rugby Union’.
Most University sports teams had
matches on Wednesday afternoons when
science students were immured in labs
doing practicals. To compensate for this,
the Biologe had its own mixed hockey
team which played matches on Saturdays
against other scientific societies,
including the Chem Soc. We generally
played at Harrison Park next to
Murrayfield; the changing facilities were
virtually non-existent but the small café
round the corner welcomed us, mud and
all, for our post-match refreshments
(usually twenty-one cups of coffee, one
cup of tea and twenty-two Blue Riband
biscuits). The match that stands out
from the rest was one played against the
College of Agriculture. Their hockey
team had a double booking: rather than
leave us without a game they
thoughtfully sent their all-male shinty
team.
The highlight of the year was the
Society expedition to one of the islands
during the Summer Vac - Unst, Hoy,
South Uist, Eigg and Raasay among
them. We did as much or as little
science as we wished. The botanists
botanized and bird watchers watched
birds (in one case comic turns, rather
than terns, when they came across a
group of us playing peevers on South
Uist’s temptingly smooth sands). Mostly,
though, we walked, climbed, explored
and fished. We went to local ceilidhs; on
Eigg we rescued a party of nuns who, on
turning round from admiring the view,
found their way barred by an inquisitive
Highland bull; on Raasay we played
darts in the pub with a group of salmon
netters who beat us hollow. We had
more success when they took us
mackerel fishing: we lived on our
catches for several days. Some of the
culinary experiments were interesting - a
semi-cooked steamed pudding for
twenty six made in an enamel bucket
and a seagull that was boiled for hours
to remove the taste of fish, and every
other taste it might have had.
Another recollection - Rag Day when
the Biologe always took part in the
parade along Princes Street. One year
the society was represented by a very
fine caterpillar who laid an egg in front
of the Lord Provost. She was named
Elsie because she was made from the
roll of hessian that was used to screen
the Elsans® (chemical loos) on island
expeditions. And that evokes a final
memory. We had a bit of a domestic
crisis on one trip when supplies of
Elsanol®, the vital chemical, ran
dangerously low. A telegram went off
addressed to Dougal who was due to
join the expedition. As he stepped off
the McBrayne’s ferry, a can of Elsanol®
in each hand, he was greeted by a local
onlooker saying ‘And you’ll be Dougal,
I’m thinking’.
Dr Ann Silver, BSc 1953, PhD 1961
Cambridge
E D i T 33
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...letters
The Cosmop
MY WIFE and I were interested in the letter from Philip
Cowan (Autumn issue) in which he gave some details about
the origins of the Cosmopolitan Club. We were both active
in the club during the fifties, for some of that time being
Secretary and President respectively. Perhaps that linkage
between our courtship and Cosmop, as everyone called it,
may partly explain the ‘golden mist’ that covers our
recollections of those years. But there is more to it than that.
Student living conditions were austere by current
standards, exams had to be passed and scholarship
committees had to be satisfied but essentially they were
happy, carefree years because our generation never doubted
that jobs and good careers would follow graduation. There
was still a postwar optimism that world problems were
soluble by political reform (the end of the Empire), by
rational applications of Science and, of course, good will. We
saw Cosmop as an introduction to a ‘world view’ of informed
and ethical ‘ high thinking’ to which we could contribute.
Cosmop met on Sunday evenings during term, first, at a
splendid room on Queen Street and later at a less spacious
room near to Greyfriars Bobby. We tried to get
distinguished speakers on topics like colonial liberation,
nuclear weapons and population growth. Discussion was
nearly always very lively, perhaps more so than the speakers
expected but, by overwhelming consensus, polite and open
minded - political harangues were out. There were occasions
when this liberal consensus was sorely tested, particularly in
1956 during the Anglo-French invasion of Suez and the
Soviet invasion of Hungary. The Arts were not ignored and
securing a talk by Compton McKenzie was regarded as a
great coup. There were also student talks; we recall one by a
Burmese post-graduate on Buddhism. Following the meeting
there was coffee, usually at a café where the proprietor had
to agree to tables being rearranged to suit our continued
discussion. After coffee, girls were escorted back to their
‘digs’ although streets were very safe compared to today.
There were occasional extra ‘bright ideas’ like climbing
Arthur’s Seat in the snow.
There were other ‘fun’ events ... Cosmop’s Christmas
dance was always a great success. At Easter, along with
similar societies in Glasgow and St Andrews Universities, we
organised a four day East-West Conference at a comfortable
‘country house’ where, while ostensibly discussing some
suitable ‘high minded’ topic like ‘world food problems’, we
got to know each other better. Some life time friendships
and marriages resulted from this international mix, for
example, I came from Jamaica and my wife-to-be (née
Kamala Naidoo) came from South Africa. The atmosphere
at these conferences may be judged from one episode. The
first speaker at a morning session was Dr. Barney Woolf
from the Genetics Department. As the audience filed into
the lecture room they were dismayed to find the blackboard
covered with mathematical equations and the lecturer trying
to squeeze in more at the bottom left corner. When the
rather subdued audience was seated Barney reminded us that
it was April Fool’s Day!!
We have visited Edinburgh many times since 1959 but
have lost touch with our Scottish friends from Cosmop; we
are thinking of Hamish Henderson, Moira Wilson and
Johnny Gregg. Hopefully, one of them might see this letter!
H.G. Coore, BSc 1956, MB ChB 1959
Birmingham
Introducing the University
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You don’t build a reputation like
the University’s for no apparent
reason. In fact, we believe that it’s
our devotion to quality and
excellence for the last 400 years
that has gained us this position.
It’s a position we are proud of
and one we will do everything to
respect. Especially these days,
with more and more emphasis
on quality, the University remains
committed to excellence above
everything else. Take a look at
any item from the unique
University of Edinburgh
Collections, for example.
We only source from the best
suppliers, whose devotion to
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...letters.
Getting Physical
I WAS greatly interested by Catherine Semeonoff’s letter
(Autumn 1999) with its account of meetings of the ‘English
Lit’ society in the 1930s.
As a ‘Fresher’ embarking on an Honours course in
English in 1936 I felt it incumbent to join the society. The
first meeting was held in some gloomy hall (my memory is
of a basement); three gloomy senior students read gloomy
contemporary poems that were quite incomprehensible to
me. At one entitled ‘Sheets’ a young lad in the back row
either fainted or had a fit - I did not wait to find out, left
precipitately and never returned.
Totally different was my experience of the Physical
Society, to which I was introduced by a friend studying
Physics. The meetings were held in the old Nat. Phil
building in Drummond Street on Wednesday afternoons,
starting with tea attended by members of staff and students
mixing informally and followed by a talk by either an expert
in the field of Maths or Science or a research student. Even
to a lay person like me these talks were invariably
interesting. Then came the business meeting, like those
described by Mrs Semeonoff, full of points of order and
debating technicalities. Prominent in this field were Francis
Dick, Andrew Purdon, Nancy Walls and Marjorie Tong.
From the first I was co-opted to the catering committee,
and by my fourth year rose to be convener! The teas cost 6d
each and we were expected to provided three kinds of
sandwich, a bun and slices of cake. Even so I managed to
make a profit, which was expended in a grand Burns Supper.
Like the ‘Eng. Lit.’ we also played mixed hockey in the
Meadows against other societies, went on hikes over the
Pentlands, had picnics at Edgelaw Reservoir and held
debates with other societies. I remember one particularly
with the History Society for which Freddie O’Brien and
John (?) Bowman were prominent.
My other affiliation was with the Musical Society,
introduced by Jim Macgillivray who had abandoned an
English Honours course to follow a musical career as an
oboist. (He later donated his collection of early woodwinds
to the University).
The main activity of the society was preparing for the
annual concert. I was a humble member of the choir and
greatly enjoyed the choral works we produced, among them
Dyson’s Canterbury Pilgrims and a Mozart Gloria. But I was
not a natural musician and had difficulty in following a part
if I had no strong singer to follow. On a foggy night one
November we were to sing an eight-part madrigal and it was
not until we filed on to the platform that I discovered that
the three other second altos were missing. Dr Greenhouse
Allt, who was conducting, spotted my panic and sang my
part along with me.
Our only other activities were mixed hockey matches and
an annual party. I have a vivid recollection of Professor
Tovey perched on the edge of a chair with a bun in one
hand and a cup of tea in the other, looking bemusedly from
bun to tea and back again as if not sure what was expected
of him.
May G. Williamson, MA 1940
Edinburgh
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InformEd for Edinburgh graduates world wide
Groups & Clubs
University of Edinburgh alumni across the UK and around the world get together to
network and socialise. To find out what’s happening in your area, simply request a
copy of our Alumni Contact booklet using the Information Please form on page 48.
Edinburgh University
Club of London
Archaeology Alumni
Association
In October 1999 Dr Stuart Blackie, a consultant
pathologist, completed his three-year term of office
as President of the London Club. He was warmly
congratulated by the members for almost
doubling the size of the Club’s membership and
instituting wide-ranging improvements to the
Club’s social programme. He has been succeeded
by Mr Norman Rose, Director-General of the
Business Services Association, who promised to
build on the many successes of his predecessor.
The new President believes that the Club must
use its effort and imagination to grasp the
opportunities that will present themselves as we
enter the new millennium. The Club has enjoyed
remarkable success with large, prestigious events
which have attracted many young graduates as
new members. There is now a well established
annual programme comprising a Burns Supper in
January, a theatre outing in March, an Annual
Dinner in May, an informal Dining Out in June or
July, a major reception to attract new graduates in
September, and the AGM with a buffet and
following event in October.
All correspondence and enquiries should be
directed to: peter.stephenson@sutton.gov.uk
Arrangements are progressing to establish the
University of Edinburgh Archaeology Alumni
Association (EUA3). In order to gauge interest in
such an Association it would be helpful if our
alumni, or other interested parties, would take a
few minutes to fill in a questionnaire about needs,
expectations, interests and opinions on the
proposed Association.
The questionnaire can be found on the
Department of Archaeology web site at
http://www.arcl.ed.ac.uk/alumni/index.html
where a list of proposed facilities can also be
found. (Paper copies of the questionnaire are also
available on request.)
If you are an Archaeology alumnus of the
University of Edinburgh living in south Scotland
and are interested in assisting to set up the
Archaeology Alumni Association please contact
Ian.Morrison@ed.ac.uk by email or by letter to:
Ian Morrison, Alumni Association, Department of
Archaeology, The University of Edinburgh,
The Old High School, Infirmary Street,
Edinburgh EH1 1LT
Alumni in Atlanta
A survey of alumni in Georgia indicated that
alumni are keen to get together and to keep in
touch with the University, and would be happy to
participate in any events which would enable them
to do this.
To this end, the group recently held a social
evening which included a slide show on recent
building developments at the University, and the
opening of the Scottish Parliament. This
encouraged much discussion, from the Queen’s
‘PC’ heather-coloured dress and her inevitable
handbag, to a comparison between the new Small
Animal Hospital in Edinburgh and the one at the
University of Georgia in Athens, GA. Of course, it
did everyone’s heart good just to see the McEwan
Hall and Arthur’s Seat again in full colour.
There was also a visit to Atlanta in the summer
by Mr Ray Footman, the University’s Director of
Communications and Public Affairs. Mr Footman
addressed the alumni group in the replica Burns
Cottage built in Atlanta in 1910.
In October, it is hoped that there will be an
alumni presence at the Stone Mountain Highland
Games, with a booth for alumni to meet, to pick
up information about the University and to buy
souvenirs. For further information, please email
Harriet Hoskyns-Abrahall on
hh-a@mindspring.com
38 E D i T
The University of Edinburgh
Alumni Association of New
South Wales
The Association’s AGM and annual dinner took
place on 27 October 1999 at an Italian restaurant
with 26 alumni and partners attending. Dr Ven
Yee Foo (MSc 1967) was elected President and Ms
Lorna Mackellar (MA 1972) became the
Secretary/Treasurer.
The dinner was enjoyable and certainly
memorable since the last one was held 12 years
ago in 1987. The group published the first issue of
its quarterly newsletter in
http://www.edalumni.com in December with
printed copies sent to alumni not using
Internet/email. The alumni are delighted that
Professor Sir Stewart Sutherland, Principal and
Vice-Chancellor, kindly sent greetings for the
newsletter to all alumni in New South Wales. The
next annual dinner will be held in
October/November. Focus in the coming year will
be on business networking and increasing the
membership from 44 at present to a target of 75.
For further information, please email Ven Yee Foo
on vyfoo@ozemail.com.au
Law Alumni On-Line
It is well worth visiting the new-look Edinburgh
Law School web pages (http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/).
The Law pages have been redesigned to provide a
range of information invaluable to students, past
and present. Use them to find links to the latest
electronic research resources - Scottish, UK or
international - to make contact with staff, or even
to check out the weather forecast. One section has
been given over to news on alumni. Brief
biographical and contact details are arranged by
year group to make it easier for graduates to make
contact with their friends. Many alumni with
cyber sense have already signed up with the Law
pages. An on-line form will be available soon, but
in the meantime, if you would like to be included,
the Law School will be happy to post an oldfashioned paper subscription form to you. Please
contact Myra Reid, email m.reid@ed.ac.uk or
write to her at The Edinburgh Law School, The
University of Edinburgh, Old College, South
Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL.
Mme Pamela Lintingre MA 1967
prepares to welcome alumni in
France to the ‘Auld Alliance’
France
With over 500 University of Edinburgh alumni
currently living in France, one might imagine that
an alumni club here would be one of the most
active and vibrant! It had however lain dormant
for quite some time. Fortunately, and in great part
due to the determined initiatives of the Alumni
Services Manager in Edinburgh, Maureen Clowe,
all photographs contributed
InformEd
Emmanuel College Chapel Windows Project,
University of Queensland, Australia
Emmanuel College, founded by the Presbyterian Church in
1911 as the first university college of the University of
Queensland, Australia, has enhanced the beauty of its
chapel in recent years by installing a number of stained
glass windows.
The culmination of the project was the installation of a set
of stained glass windows above the entrance to the chapel
depicting the coats of arms and insignia of a number of
institutions with which the College has links. The design for
the top set of windows includes the coats of arms of the
universities from which the seven Principals of the College
first graduated: Glasgow (2), Cambridge, Sydney,
Queensland, Melbourne and Edinburgh.
Not only is the current Principal, Mr Angus Edmonds (MA
1966, Dip Ed 1973) an Edinburgh graduate, but one of the
two founding fathers of the college, The Rev Dr James
Gibson, was also a graduate of the University of
Edinburgh. He graduated with an MA in the 1880s, and
was then awarded a Doctor of Divinity by his alma mater in
1935.
Another Edinburgh alumnus and the contact for our
alumni in this part of the world, Dr Tom Bell (BSc 1969,
MB ChB 1973) was able to represent the University at the
ceremony to mark the completion of the windows project
last year. The ceremony included a welcome by the
Emmanuel College Pipe Band and an address by the
Governor of Queensland.
the club is making a comeback. And in response
to a mailing to all alumni in France, a
reassuringly large number have expressed an
interest in participating in a revival of the club.
In the presence of Professor Geoffrey Boulton,
Vice-Principal (International Relations) of the
University, a first meeting was arranged, not in a
conference hall, but in much more congenial
surroundings, the only Scottish pub in Paris, the
Auld Alliance. However, even the Vice-Principal
had not been able to reschedule the World Cup
rugby match which crowds had come to watch
on the pub TV and which inevitably made every
effort to upstage the meeting in hand! French
resident and Scottish Internationalist, Gregor
Townsend, had sent his apologies - he was busy
elsewhere.
Despite the periodic cries of “Allez les bleus!”, it
was really encouraging to discover that alumni
had travelled from Biarritz, Montpellier,
Chamonix as well as the Paris region to attend a
reunion. Moreover, many indicated that they
would be keen to participate actively, whether as
committee members, newsletter editor, events coordinator or as secretary, and these offers of
Mr Angus Edmonds (left)
and Dr Tom Bell in front
of the Associated
Institutions window
assistance will be gratefully followed up.
Efforts are currently underway to establish a
legal standing for the association, after which it
will be possible to organise the various events
and activities which most interest potential
members. According to information available,
interest centres mainly around the organisation of
social events to develop contacts with other
alumni, the development of networking
opportunities for professional reasons, provision
of graduate employment advice, contact with
Erasmus students, academic discussion groups,
and visits to places of interest.
For further information, please contact
Development & Alumni Services on
development@ed.ac.uk
Edinburgh University Alumni
Rifle Club
Two members of the Edinburgh University
Alumni Rifle Club won a Gold medal in the
Commonwealth Shooting Federation
Championships which were held last November
in Auckland, New Zealand. Donald McIntosh
and Martin Sinclair, both BSc 1988, took the
Gold for Scotland in the Mens 3-Positions Smallbore rifle pairs event, with India taking the Silver
and England the Bronze.
Three other members of the club participated
in the championships, Cliff Ogle (BSc 1977)
representing Northern Ireland, and Susan Bell
(MA 1995) and Patricia Littlechild (MB ChB
1989) representing Scotland.
The Edinburgh University Alumni Rifle Club
was formed in 1986 and is based at the Centre
for Sport & Exercise at the Pleasance. It shares the
rifle range with the student Rifle Club. Since its
formation, it has become one of the top clubs in
the UK and members have gone on to represent
their country at various competitions up to World
Championship level (no Olympics yet!) and have
won many national and international titles
and medals.
Alumni interested in joining the club should
make contact through the Scottish Small-bore
Rifle Association, Tel: 01324 720440, Email:
secretary@ssra.co.uk
EE DD ii TT 41
39
Friday 1 to Sunday 3 September
ALUMNI
2000
Celebrate & Reunite
Events & Reunions
2000 Reunion
Programme
1941 MB ChB Reunion
Lunch
Friday 1 September 2000, Raeburn Room,
Old College, 12.30pm. Contact: Dr
Margaret J P Fleming, 17 Graham Park
Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3
4BH.
1950 BSc (Veterinary
Medicine)
22-25 September 2000
Contact: Mr Graham Wight, Easter Rubislaw,
31/6 Hermitage Drive, Edinburgh, EH10 6BY
1950 MA (Geography)
Saturday 2 September 2000, Raeburn
Room, Old College, 12 noon. Contact: Mr
John R Barclay, 11 Bruntsfield Gardens,
Edinburgh, EH10 4DX Tel: 0131 229 3084
Email: John@barclayjr.fsnet.co.uk
1960 MB ChB
DON’T MISS your final chance to book for ALUMNI 2000 and join in the
University’s weekend of millennium celebrations from 1 - 3 September
2000. A full programme of events and activities has been organised, from
the Friday through to the Sunday afternoon.
1 - 3 September 2000, Peebles Hydro
Contact: Dr Thomas M Kennedy, Four
Winds, 7 Hillside Crescent, Langholm,
Dumfriesshire DG13 0EE Email:
tklangholm@aol.com
Highlights of the weekend include:
1964 MA (Geography)
13 - 15 October 2000, Riccarton, Edinburgh
Contact: Mrs Anne Campbell, South Lodge,
Buckhatch Lane, Rettendon Common,
Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8EP
● Welcome Reception in the Playfair Library.
1965 MB ChB
● Grand Gala Dinner at the Edinburgh International Conference
Friday 25 - Sunday 27 August 2000, Peebles
Hydro. Contact: Dr Lucile MacLeod,The
Haining,Woodlands Park, Livingston, EH54 8AT
Centre, with guest speaker the Rt Hon Baroness Young of Old
Scone (MA 1970). Formerly Chief Executive of the Royal Society for
the Protection of Birds, Baroness Young is now Chairman of English
Nature and was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors
of the BBC in 1998. Discounted price for reunion tables.
● Scottish Parliament Forum, introduced by Vice Principal Alice
Brown and chaired by Sally Magnusson (MA 1978). Panellists will
be: Dennis Canavan (BSc 1967) (Independent Labour), Member for
Falkirk West; Susan Deacon (MA 1987, MBA 1992) (Labour), Minister
for Health and Community Care; David McLetchie (LLB 1974),
Member for Lothians and Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party;
Nicol Stephen (Dip Legal Practice 1981) (Liberal Democrat), Deputy to
the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning; and John Swinney
(MA 1986), SNP Spokesperson on Enterprise and Lifelong Learning.
● Presentation ’Here is the weather forecast’ by Heather Reid
(BSc 1991, MSc 1992).
● Exhibition of work of Elizabeth Blackadder (MA 1954, Dr hc 1990).
And with talks, tours, exhibitions, a jazz evening and much, much more,
there is something of interest to everyone. We are delighted that all of the
contributors to the weekend’s programme are either alumni, current members
of staff, or students. This really is a weekend by alumni and for alumni.
For a copy of the full programme, and to register for the weekend, please
contact the ALUMNI 2000 bookings hotline:
Tel: +44 (0) 131 650 2240 Fax: +44 (0) 131 650 2239
Email: Development@ed.ac.uk
Development & Alumni Services, The University of Edinburgh, Old
College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL
40 E D i T
- midnight. Guest Speaker: Dr Frances Dow,
Dean of the Faculty of Arts.
ALL CONTEMPORARIES (1947-1951)
WELCOME. Hot buffet supper and dancing
to music of the Forties. Ticket price: £19.00.
Send SAE for details and tickets to: Mrs
Frances Dawson,
I Peregrine Way, Wimbledon Common,
London SW19 4RN
2001 Reunion
Programme
1956 MB ChB
13 and 14 July 2001, Crowne Plaza Hotel,
80 High Street, Edinburgh.
Contact: Dr Rose Clark, 8 Oxford Terrace,
Edinburgh, EH4 1PX
1961 BDS
40th Anniversary Reunion
Thursday 17 May and Friday 18 May 2001,
Edinburgh. Programme includes tour of new
Edinburgh Dental Institute, pub lunch, and
Reunion Dinner.
Contact: Mr William Mercer, Carrington Mill,
by Temple, Midlothian, EH23 4SJ
Tel: 01875 830388
1961 MB ChB
1980 MB ChB
40th Anniversary Reunion
2 - 4 September 2001, Dunkeld House
Hotel, Perthshire
Contact: Dr Ivor Davie, 26 Kingsburgh Road,
Edinburgh, EH12 6DZ Email:
ivor@davie41.freeserve.co.uk
November 2000, Peebles Hydro
Contact: Dr Carolyn Thompson, 11 Inverleith
Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LS
Email: dyson@zetnet.co.uk
1951 BSc (Agriculture)
Contact: Dr Ian S Robertson, 33 Braid
Farm Road, Edinburgh, EH10 6LE
1990 BSc (Maths & Statistics)
Saturday 23 September 2000, Edinburgh
Contact: Miss Diana Holgate, 3F2, 1 Tay
Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DZ
1951 MB ChB
1994 - 95 MBA Reunion
(Economics/Economic History)
Contact: Mr Roderick Gunkel, Orchardlea,
Callander, Perthshire, FK17 8BG
21 and 22 October 2000
Contact: Susanna Teinila, Chemin des
Laurelles 56, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
History Graduates’
Association Reunion Lunch
Saturday 2 September 2000, The Playfair
Library, Old College, 12.30pm
As this event is taking place during the ALUMNI
2000 weekend, it is hoped that many History
graduates will be able to attend. Partners are also
welcome, and the event is not confined to
members of the History Graduates’ Association. For
further details, please contact Camilla Cowie, 20
Blacket Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1RL. Following the
lunch, Professor Robert Anderson, current Head of
Department, will give a brief talk on the past,
present and future of the History Department in the
new Kirkpatrick Library, William Robertson Building,
George Square at 3pm.
1950 Faculty of Arts
“Golden” Reunion
Friday 1 September 2000, Royal Overseas
League, 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh, 8pm
Contact: Dr John S Patterson, 9 Scotland
Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6PP
1970 MA
1980 MA (Architecture),
Dip (Arch) 1980/1981
Contact: Mrs Elizabeth Acheson, Tyndrum,
Acre Road, Muirhouses, Bo'ness, West
Lothian, EH51 9SX
1991 MB ChB
Contact: Dr Joanna Hadoke, Grange
Distillery Cottage, Burntisland, KY3 0AA
Niall Hendrie
Fundraising news
InformEd
Help for
our Friends
THE SKILL of a surgeon at the Dick Vet’s Hospital for
Small Animals inspired a grateful dog owner to set up a
£12,000 fund for one year to help people who cannot
afford operations for their pets. Shep, a 9-year-old male
Rough Collie was referred to the Orthopaedic Surgery
Service at the Dick Vet, as a last resort by a vet in
Newcastle.
Shep had ruptured ligaments in two of his legs and was
unable to walk. Vets undertook 4 surgical operations to
repair the ligaments and treated problems with joint
infection and an underactive thyroid gland. This,
combined with extremely dedicated care by his owners
during his long convalescence, means Shep is now able to
walk on all four of his legs.
The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous,
explained. “I asked my own vet where the best place in
Britain to get treatment was, and he told me to come to
Edinburgh. When Shep had problems after surgery, I got
an appointment with Dr Barbara Kirby at 3 hours’ notice,
and she saved his life. I have the utmost respect for Dr
Kirby and her colleagues. She is extremely skilled, very
compassionate, and lets people know exactly what is
going on. My dog now has a quality of life which has
made it all worthwhile.
"The stress was bad enough, but if I hadn’t been able
to afford the treatment I don’t know what I would have
done. It must be devastating for those who can’t afford it.
I wanted to provide money so it would go straight where
it is needed most."
Notable gift: A generous donation from a graduate who, although not a Music student,
enjoyed using the Music Faculty’s practice pianos, enabled the Faculty to purchase three
new pianos for current students to use. Stephen Miller, 3rd year Music student, puts one
of the new pianos through its paces.
LEGACIES TOTALLING £200,000 from Dr and Mrs Wiktor Tomaszewski have boosted
the endowment of the Polish School of Medicine Memorial Fund, which provides
scholarships for young doctors from Poland to study at Edinburgh. This fund was
established in 1986 by graduates of the Polish School of Medicine, which operated at the
University of Edinburgh between 1941 and 1949. The School was established during the
Second World War after the enforced closure of universities in German-occupied Poland
and the arrest and execution of their professors. Students in the Polish armed forces
came to Edinburgh for medical courses taught mainly by their countrymen in their own
language. Altogether, 227 Poles graduated MB ChB and 19 received MD diplomas. The
newly graduated doctors rejoined their units and took part in the fighting until the end
of the war.
contributed
Legacy for the Polish School
of Medicine Memorial Fund
Normal
The Royal Bank of Scotland
Access Bursaries and LEAPS
A STRONG TRADITION of Scottish education is to provide opportunity for all who are able
to benefit whatever their means. Edinburgh's commitment to this tradition was reinforced by
its introduction, two years ago, of a bursary scheme aimed at qualified students. Now
thanks to a £100,000 contribution from the Royal Bank of Scotland, the University has been
able to expand this scheme further.
The Royal Bank of Scotland has agreed to provide bursaries for 4 years to school
leavers from the Lothians area to participate at the established Lothian Equal Access
Programme for Schools (LEAPS) Summer School. LEAPS (in partnership with the four
local higher education institutions including the University of Edinburgh, the four Local
Authority Education Departments, and Career Development Edinburgh and Lothians)
focuses on young people of ability and potential to encourage them to enter degree or
equivalent courses at higher education institutions. This generous contribution will help
improve access for students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to attend
university. The University anticipates continuing development of its own bursary scheme.
A dog's best friend: Shep and Dr Barbara Kirby,
specialist in orthopaedics and soft tissue. In gratitude
for her and her colleagues’ work, Shep’s owner has
established a fund to help others who cannot afford
treatment for their pets.
E D i T 41
World service
1920s - 1930s
Dr Christina C Miller BSc 1920 PhD 1924
Recently celebrated 100th birthday.
Mrs Isobel L Nicolson née McIntosh MA 1932
MBE awarded for services to the community
of Plockton.
1940s
Dr Henry D Powell MB ChB 1944 Visited
Malawi for 3rd time in November 1999 to
help in orthopaedic department, responsible
for 6 million people.
Professor Dame Barbara E Clayton MB ChB
1946 PhD 1949 Has been awarded the Gold
Medal for Distinguished Merit by the British
Medical Association.
Professor Emeritus John A Ewing MB ChB
1946 Although retired from university
research and teaching career, still works
part-time treating patients.
Dr Dennis A Lamont MB ChB 1948 Still
enjoying general practice and the
development of medicine despite three
angioplasties, one CABG and two lumber
microdisectomies!
The Rt. Hon. Lord Mackay of Clashfern MA
1948 LLB 1955 Installed as a Knight of the
Thistle when Her Majesty was in Edinburgh.
Miss Margaret Downes MA 1949 Recently
had a month’s holiday in New Zealand,
travelling through North and South Islands.
Mr Ian MacNab MA 1949 Retired from post of
Senior Depute Director of Education for
Highland Region in 1990. Now farming Kildun
Farm at Dingwall, Ross-shire.
Dr Peter J McEwan MA 1949 PhD 1963 2nd
edition Dictionary of Scottish Art and
Architecture to be printed this year.
1950s
Dr David Birch MB ChB 1950 Chairman of
Board of Directors of Vale House, a 20 bed
private hospice for Alzheimer’s Disease
sufferers.
Dr Barry A Rapier MB ChB 1950 Living on a
small island - nothing unusual or startling
ever happens. Involved in limited private
practice since retiring from government
service.
Mr William G Myles MA 1951 BCom 1951
Emigrated with wife, from Aberdeen to
Melbourne in February 1991 - thoroughly
enjoying life there. Is Vice-President of the
Chess Club. Recently visited UK and
Switzerland, but did not get to Edinburgh.
Ainslie J Nairn BL 1952 After retiral from legal
practice now available as consultant on
Scottish titles of honours and heraldry.
Mrs Julia M Lawrence née Edwards MA 1954
Handles the public relations and assists with
the fund raising for Nairobi Children’s
Hospital which is a charitable organisation.
Also writes for a Kenyan travel magazine, and
does other journalism related work.
Mr John H Greene MA 1955 LLB 1957 ViceChairman, Ayrshire and Arran Health Board.
Chairman, Stoddart International Group
Pension Fund.
Rev Alan J Roy BSc 1955 BD 1959 Retired end
of September 1999 after ministries in Zambia
(11 years), Dundee (21 years) and Aberuthven
with Dunning (6 years).
Mr Alastair J Fordyce MB ChB 1956 Since
‘retiral’ became a luthier, and engaged in
construction of classical and flamenco
guitars.
Professor Emeritus Ronald Gardiner MA
1956 BSc 1958 After services as (inaugural)
42 E D i T
Dean of Science & Engineering and Associate
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic), retired from
full-time employment at Queensland
University of Technology (QUT) in July 1996.
Since then, has had a number of part-time
appointments and a consultancy at QUT.
Dr Bridget M Wilcken née Buchanan MB ChB
1956 Still working 10-plus-hour days, in
genetic metabolic medicine, and just
completing a term as President of the Human
Genetics Society of Australasia.
Dr Norman J King BSc 1957 PhD 1960 OBE
awarded for services to the Environment and
Health.
Mr I M T Sandison BSc 1957 Retired - but
Chairman of Tayside Panel, Prince’s Scottish
Youth Business Trust.
Dr Douglas C Barker BSc 1958 PhD 1961
Retired from MRC but continuing as Director
of Studies and Fellow of Christ’s College,
Cambridge during terms. Rest of the time
spent at Barfap Farm, Argyll.
Mr James M Noble MA 1958 Chairman,
Tweedale Sports Council. (Ex Officio)
member of Border Sports Development
Group.
Mr David F Pappin MA 1958 Dip 1959
Retired. After Dinner speaker. Member of
MCC. President of Stoke Cricket Club.
President Estates Golfing Society. Honorary
Secretary London Scottish FC. Member of
Walton Heath & Rye Golf Club.
Dr Jeffrey C Stone MA 1958 Retired in
September 1998 and subsequently awarded
an honorary position as Research Fellow of
the Department of Geography, University of
Aberdeen.
Mr William R Black BSc 1959 Dip 1960
Retired August 1998, having been Principal
Teacher of Physics for almost 30 years.
Mr Iver B Frigaard BSc 1959 Retired 1st July
1998 from post of Fylkesagronom with
Fylkesmannen I Buskerud in Drammen,
Norway.
Mr Alan P Liebing BSc 1959 Dip 1960
Developing multiplexed hybrid car that does
100mph 0-60 seconds and 100mpg in city
traffic with expected 400 fold reduction in
city pollution, patent applied for, Swiss firm
handling development. Also, may have
cracked the elusive “Theory of Everything".
Mrs Jane A Mayers née Wilson MA 1959
Having presided over the birth, short life and
premature death (inability to secure its
financial stability) of The Pelican Centre, nr
Glastonbury, Somerset, is continuing private
work as a Jungian psychotherapist.
Mr Robin C Sutherland BSc 1959 Retired
from NoSWA at end of December 1998. Has
taken on part-time employment with
Dinardo’s.
1960s
Mr John R Kelly BSc 1960 Employed by ERJV
Little France.
Mrs Doreen F Pruden née Steven MA 1960
Passed professional exams as translator.
Translates monthly newspaper distributed to
schools across Canada (from French);
translates educational materials into French
for bi-lingual schools and other institutions.
Mr Alexander W Russell MA 1960 Retired in
October 1998 as Deputy Chairman, HM
Customs and Excise. Now engaged in
strategic consultancies and projects for the
Cabinet Office and the University of Bath
Business School.
Mr Norman L Achilles MA 1961 1994-96
Visiting Fellow, Center for International
Studies, Princeton University. 1996-97
Visiting Fellow, Fondation National des
Sciences Politiques, University of Paris.
Mrs Morna Hill Tindal MA 1961 Volunteer
narrator for student and special services for
the NSW Royal Blind Society. Pioneer
Volunteer for SOCOG (Sydney Organising
Committee of the Games). Technical Official
in NSW Amateur Swimming Association.
Mr George W Simpson MA 1961 LLB 1963
Retired March 1998.
Professor David I Newble BSc 1962 MB ChB
1965 Recently appointed to Foundation Chair
in Medical Education at University of
Sheffield School of Medicine.
Dr Alan R Procter BSc 1962 PhD 1965
Consultant in Technology Management and
Future Studies. Adjunct Professor at
University of British Columbia.
Mr David L Simpson BL 1962 A.M. Simpson &
Son celebrated its centenary in January 1998;
son and grandson both University of
Edinburgh alumni.
Mr Joseph A McLaughlin BL 1963 After a
career in tertiary education, education
administration and latterly as secretary of
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce (1990-98),
now works as a consultant in Central /
Eastern European countries advising on
problems of transition to market economy
conditions and WTO and EU accession.
Mrs Joyce Simpson Walton LLB 1963 Retired
from legal practice March 1998.
Dr C Christopher Smith MB ChB 1963
Twinning days of early retirement with a
return to university to do something
different!
Mrs Helen J Gillespie BSc 1964 Recently
retired from 25 years of full-time teaching
and is now enjoying supply teaching. Has
three children, all of whom are parents now,
and has five grandchildren.
Mr J Malcolm Gourlay BCom 1964 Following
the £496 million takeover of Clyde Petroleum
Plc in February 1997, has become involved in
a number of private and listed companies as
a non-executive Director including the
Chairmanship of Paladin Resources Plc.
Dr Christopher S Haw BSc 1964 MB ChB
1967 Chairman of Victorian Branch of
Australian Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Mr Neil MacGillivray MB ChB 1964 MSc 1999
Graduated MSc by Research, with distinction,
from the Faculty of Arts, in December 1999.
Former classmate from the 1964 MB ChB
class, Dr Christopher H Cameron, also
graduated MSc by Research, with distinction,
from the same Faculty, on the same day,
despite otherwise divergent careers.
Professor William G Ritchie MB ChB 1964
Selected Chairman of Dept of Radiology,
Pennsylvania Hospital July 1998. Clinical
Professor of Radiology, Medical School,
University of Pennsylvania.
Dr Donald C Smith PhD 1964 Spent three
months last summer in Edinburgh, part of
which was taken up doing research and
writing of articles on 19th Century Scottish
churchmen for the New Dictionary of
National Biography (Oxford University Press).
Professor Lawrence Evans MB ChB 1965
Appointed National President, Medical
Council, United Medical Protection in 1998.
Rev Dr James M Francis MA 1965 BD 1968
Book published in April 1998 ’Tentmaking:
Perspectives on Self-Supporting Ministry’.
Mr Murray T Little BSc 1965 Left the
Mr Michael J Barry LLB 1963 36 years
media/theatre. Founder/Director,
Wessex Actors Compay. Independent
producer/director/writer(drama/
corporate). Vineyard owner/wine maker.
Government of Saskatchewan in June 1996,
after 31 years of service. Started own
company, consulting in forest-related
activities, including educational, recreational
and travel projects.
Mr Robert A MacCallum BSc 1965 Retired
after 33 years with Shell International.
Miss Louisa L Maguire MA 1965 Raised £80
by running a pastel picture show at
Christmas 1998, for the new Dick Vet Small
Animal Hospital.
Mr Phillip S Brook MA 1967 Worked in export
positions until 1985 in the food and toy
industries, including being based in
Singapore for 2 years. Founded own import
export company in 1985, aided by the
languages studied when at Edinburgh!
Mrs Christine J McKenzie née Mackay MA
1967 Sheep and beef farming with visitor
accommodation on New Zealand’s
southernmost coast. Rare dolphins, sealions
and penguins and Jurassic petrified forest are
among the attractions. Come and stay with
us when in New Zealand!
Mrs Barbara O Barker Acheson BSc 1968
After 20+ years in Berkshire, raised 3 children
(all now graduates in arts subjects!) taught
science, then Technical Editor in computer
field, bought a farm in Devon - not an SSSI
yet. Plans to manage it with rare breeds of
sheep and cattle and restore old barns as
craft workshops/environmental centre.
Dr Kenneth J Gill BSc (M) 1968 MB ChB 1971
Appointed Commanding Officer, 243 (The
Wessex) Field Hospital (V) from 1 January
1999.
Mrs Jennifer G MacKewn MA 1968
Organisational Development Consultant and
trainer of physiotherapists. Has two sons,
one grown -up and one 14.
Dr Adam C McBride BSc 1968 PhD 1971 OBE
awarded for services to understanding of
mathematics in schools.
Mr Daniel McLean MA 1968 After graduating
MA (Hons), Dip Ed, taught for 4 years in
further education in Scotland. Moved to New
Zealand in 1972 and taught in 3 secondary
schools until retiring in 1994 as Deputy
Rector, Kings Hill School, Dunedin.
Dr David C Snashall MB ChB 1968 Appointed
Chief Medical Adviser UK Health and Safety
Executive 1998.
Ms Andrea K Valdez BSc 1968 An IT
professional and a sculptor. Exhibited with
Open Studios in November 1998 and ’Art
Select’ at Battersea Arts Centre.
InformEd
1970s
Mr Graham C Bathgate MA 1970 Continuing
to enjoy very hectic life in Tokyo teaching
English and organising school unions and
activities as President of the Tokyo Chapter
of Japan Association of Language Teaching.
Also trying to use nearly 30 years of travel to
write articles.
Mr Donald T Campbell BSc 1970 Moved back
to engineering and planning consultancy and
a manager of a local office for a major
Norwegian consultancy. Involved in several
water rehabilitation projects in Bosnia
financed by a Norwegian development aid
programme.
Mr Timothy R Davis BSc 1970 Became
Quality Manager for Rolls Royce Australia in
November 1998.
Professor Alexander Forrest BSc (M) 1970
MB ChB 1973 Appointed Professor of
Forensic Toxicology at the University of
Sheffield from 1 November 1998.
Mr Neil G Kerr BCom 1970 Now roving
Europe improving international paints
warehouse and distribution systems. First 2
(of 3) children at, or going next year to EU!
Mr Nicholas Rowell BArch 1970 Working on
£400M PFI project for DSS - Redevelopment
of two sites in Tyne and Wear to produce
£150M new office HQ for DSS whilst current
operations maintained.
Mr Alexander D Stevenson MA (SS) 1970
MBA 1987 Took early retirement from South
Lanarkshire Council at the end of November
1998. Seeking full-time or part-time work (to
finance the cost of pilot’s licence!).
Mrs M Tong née Cowie MA 1970 Since 1997,
has helped husband Dr Richard Tong with his
company Tanayom Consultings Corporation.
Dr Lewis T Waters PhD 1970 After
graduating, was appointed Director of Urban
Studies at the National Capital Planning
Commission, Washington DC. Left to join
Peace Corps and worked in SE Asia for 2
years. Returned to DC as Director of Systems
Planning for the City and worked in energy
and environmental consulting. Joined US
Department of Energy and now works as
energy and international development
consultant in DC.
Dr Laurence J Bauer MA 1971 PhD 1975
Awarded a personal chair in Linguistics at
Victoria University of Wellington, New
Zealand. Under contract to write a new
textbook for the Edinburgh Textbooks on the
English Language series, edited by Professor
Heinz Giegrich of the Department of English
Language and published by Edinburgh
University Press.
Dr Peter W Harland PhD 1971 DSc 1996 Chair
in Chemistry, University of Canterbury,
Christchurch, New Zealand.
Ms Morelle I Smith MA 1971 ‘Deepwater
Terminal’, a collection of poetry published by
‘diehard’, March 1998.
Rev Dr William Campbell PhD 1972
Appointed Reader in Biblical Studies at the
University of Wales, 1st October 1999.
Mrs Bibiana Munyaradzi BSc 1972 In charge
of quality assurance in a company that
produces and sells tobacco seeds in
Zimbabwe.
Mr D D E Nicolson BSc 1972 Retired at 48 to
look after growing menagerie. Irreverent as
ever but mellowing (still don’t know what I
want to do when I grow up). Four more years
in Stratford then off to the west coast
seeking a castle or “camus fearna", or both.
Mr David G Venner BSc 1972 After 25 years
in project management (for Countryside
Commission and local authorities) retrained
in rural skills and is enjoying working
outdoors, as own boss.
Dr Rohan H Wickramasinghe PhD 1972
Consultant on Environmental Protection and
Landscaping to Sri Lanka’s Central Cultural
Fund (i.e. principal archaeological sites).
Also, advising Mayor of Colombo on matters
relating to environmental protection.
Professor Rosemary A Crow MA (SS) 1973
PhD 1978 Still a Professor of Nursing Science
at Surrey and busy working in Clinical
Research.
Dr Christopher G Pollock BSc (M) 1973 MB
ChB 1976 Returned to the Romantics and
Chamber music galore!
Mr Ian L Williamson BSc 1973 As well as
construction work in the North East of
Scotland, employer has been involved in the
Falkland Islands so has been “commuting”
there for the past 10 years
Mr Alexander G Young MA (SS) 1973 Moved
to Kyle Academy in August 1996.
Ms Jane E Bachner-King BA 1974 Living in
Austin, Texas. Mom of two: 19 yr old and 14
yr old. Loves job as gets to talk about food all
day!
Mr Terence M Parker MSc 1974 Has taken
early retirement and expects to take up
offers of lecturing and producing a booklet
on marketing.
Dr Michael A Patton MB ChB 1974 MSc 1976
Appointed Professor of Medical Genetics Nov
1998.
Miss Jacqueline D Stokes BA 1974 Uses
French, acquired at Edinburgh, every day and
Russian to aid understanding of students’
problems. Teaches Computer Engineering to
Eastern European immigrant women and
occasionally politicians and multinationals,
especially Japanese.
Mr Richard D Winter BCom 1974 After
working with Deloittes in Nairobi and
Edinburgh, arrived in Hong Kong in 1985, to
specialise in Corporate Finance, firstly as a
manager in the Corporate Advisory Service
Dept of Ernst & Whinney and for the last 12
years in the Corporate Finance Dept of
Standard Chartered Asia Limited, now as
Managing Director.
Mr Ian P Bankier LLB 1975 Specialised in
Corporate Law, moved into industry via own
independent management firm. Director of
four public companies and other substantial
private concerns.
Mr Gregory Cafetzopoulos MPhil 1975
Qualified in educational planning and
administration of education (1985, Pareis,
IIE). Appointed General Director of Planning
in the Greek Ministry of Education, May 1998.
In December 1998 obtained a BA (First Class
Honours) in Humanities (Open University).
Father Roger W Guiver MA 1975 Parish Priest
of Saint Thomas, Brambles Farm,
Middlesbrough, but at present living at
Swany Farm, Glaisdale, Whitby.
Mr Richard G Philip MSc 1975 OBE awarded
for services to veterinary science overseas.
Mr David J Anderson MA 1976 OBE awarded
for services to museums.
Dr John E Hesketh PhD 1976 Took up the
Chair of Mammalian Molecular biology in the
Department of Biological and Nutritional
Sciences at the University of Newcastle upon
Tyne on 1st November 1999.
Mr Ian Jackson MA (SS) 1976 Was promoted
in June 1999 and is now Business
Development Manager in British Telecom’s
Workstyle Consultancy Group. The Group
works with corporate clients to introduce
new ways of working.
Rev Robert M Jones BVM&S 1976
Redundancy 1 September 1997. Moved to
present position (Pastor/Baptist Minister)
April 1998.
Dr Paul F Van Look PhD 1976 Was appointed
to Director, Department of Reproductive
Health and Research in November 1998 by Dr
Gro Harlem Brundtland, the World Health
Organisation’s Director.
Dr Edmund W Patterson BSc 1976 PhD 1982
Diagnosed with progressive MS in 1992 and
opted to take ill health retirement in 1998.
Heavily involved with MS Society in Scotland
and Edinburgh South.
Dr Patrick G Scott PhD 1976 Recently added
the post of Associate University Librarian for
Special Collections to work as Professor of
English at the University of South Carolina.
Mr Paul D Seeley BMus 1976 Freelance
Pianist and Piano Teacher. Awarded
Fellowship Diploma in Music Education from
Trinity College of Music in 1999. Researching
Franz Lehar for PhD on part-time basis at
University of Liverpool.
Dr Deborah Symonds MLitt 1976 Elected
Department Chairperson, Department of
History, Drake University. Invited to join the
executive board of the Historical Society, an
international professional assocation of
historians. Published a book on Scotland,
and an article on working in the Scottish
Record Office.
Dr Linda E Williams née Potts BSc 1976 Now
Deputy Headteacher of secondary school in
County Durham. Still keen on mountaineering, golf and running.
Ms Shiona M Airlie MA 1977 Contributed two
articles for the new Dictionary of National
Biography.
Mrs Margaret Sell née Hendry BSc (SS) 1977
Professor of Veterinary Bacteriology since
Oct 1992. Dean of Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Maidiguri since 1995.
Mr David A Stewart BSc 1977 After 18 years
working for British Telecom, three children,
single again (divorced). Having a quiet,
happy life in the Cotswolds.
Mr Nicolas E Sunderland BSc 1977 Job goes
well. Hobby is organic production with 5
hectares and 20 sheep. Active squash player,
plus some golf. Relatively happy with life.
Dr Michael D Winter BSc (M) 1977 MB ChB
1980 Appointed as Medical Director of
Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust.
Mr N Stuart Black BA 1978 With wife, Donna
McClure, snowboards in the winter and
windsurfs in the summer.
Dr Caroline E Gardiner MA 1978 Appointed
Professor to run the new Department in Arts
Management, South Bank University,
London.
Mrs Mary L Pitcaithly née Hall LLB 1978
Appointed Chief Executive of Falkirk Council
from 10th September 1998.
Mr Stephen Atkins BMus 1979 Senior
Manager in Hong Kong’s largest primary
school. Currently involved in research on
Scots medieval liturgical music and is
studying for the degree of MEd with the
University of Nottingham.
Miss Caroline S Blunden MA 1979 Now
dealing in and arranging exhibitions of
contemporary chinese painting. Cultural
Atlas of China written with Mark Ewin,
Phaidon, 1983, was updated 1998.
Dr Irwin S Goldstein PhD 1979 Promoted to
Professor. Continues to present papers at
various national and international
conferences and to publish in various
journals in philosophy.
Mr J B Hepburn BSc 1979 MSc 1995 Setting
up a business - ’Aquavision’ - taking
agriculture towards sustainability.
Dr Malcolm Irving BSc 1979 Recently moved
to Wellington, New Zealand.
Mr Alan C Rose BCom 1979 Following 8
years at Shell, graduated with an MBA from
photographs contributed
Ms Moira Vaughan MA 1968 Embarked on
4th career (after teaching, international
student officer, physiotherapy) in
rehabilitation of visually impaired, hoping to
work in Scotland
Ms Ilona Aronovsky MA 1969 Co-author of
“Indus Valley - KS2 History” pupil activity
pack on the ancient Indus Civilisation,
published 1996, which has been cited as
approved resource in new guidance on
primary history issued by the QCA (England).
Also associated with the harappa Website
(http://harappa.com).
Mr Ian Lamb MA 1969 Recently became
Manager, Finance and Business, of newly
created electricity transmission company
Transcend Networks Pty Ltd, in Tasmania,
Australia.
Mr John G Langlands BSc 1969 Working from
a home base in Edinburgh as Senior
Geologist with ACA Howe International Ltd,
which is a company specialising in mineral
exploration, mineral resources, exploration
and evaluation.
Mr Hugh McPherson BSc 1969 Relocated
own company from near Edinburgh to
Tarbert, Isle of Harris, showing it is possible
to run a high-tech business in such a
location.
Dr Phyllis L Pitt-Miller MB ChB 1969 Head of
Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences,
University of the West Indies - Aug 19961999.
Mr Roger L Price MA 1969 MSc 1976 Since
August 1981, has been administering
business programmes and teaching
communication skills at Nyenrode University
- the only privatised university in Holland.
Mr George M Smuga MA 1969 Dip 1970
Appointed Headteacher of the Royal High
School in June 1998 after nine years as
Headteacher at North Berwick High.
Mr Andrew G Webb BCom 1969 BCom 1970
Happy to send sample of language learning
system for businessmen learning German to
anyone interested, or explanatory brochure.
Mr C Frederick Y Lawson BSc 1963 Chairman of Edinburgh Ramblers; Munroist; Treasurer,
Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society - safeguarding your rights of way in Scotland.
E D i T 43
World service
Dr Hazel D Farkas MB ChB 1962 Retired
from full time practice of psychiatry in
New York state, January 1999 and enjoying
warmth of climate and people in
Williamsburg, Virginia. Time for church
activities, grandchildren, newcomers
gardening and tennis clubs, sightseeing
and travel.
Columbia Business School (New York) and is
now a Partner at strategy consulting firm
Booz, Allen & Hamilton, specialising in the
energy industries.
Mr Donald G Taylor BCom 1979 Started office
furniture company in 1991, $6 million in sales
in 1998, selling throughout North America.
Still enjoying badminton, started playing at
Pollock Halls in 1976! Married with one
daughter.
1980s
Dr Mark T Bigwood BDS 1980 MB ChB 1989
Third son, Leo, born 1998. Growing old
disgracefully in the west country. Playing in a
seven piece rock band and mending old cars.
Has given up smoking - lifetime greatest
achievement.
Dr Yiannis Liritzis PhD 1980 Appointed
Professor on tenure, of Archaeometry in Dept
of Mediterranean Studies, University of the
Aegean, Rhodes Island, Greece. 25 years of
continuous collaboration with the Dept of
Physics (Dr R B Galloway). Dozens of papers
have been written!
Mrs Yvonne C Malcolm née Trotter MA (SS)
1980 Recently gave up working in insurance
broking world to look after family. In
addition, now carrying out general secretarial
work in connection with husband’s business.
Mrs Antonia Swinson Reid MA 1980 New
book published set in Scotland/London, ’The
Cousin’s Tale’ published by Hodder and
Stoughton.
Mr Michael A Smith BCom 1980 Client
Manager, Coutts & Co, Manchester.
Mrs Dorothy L Bartlett née Smith BA 1981
LLB 1983 Lecturer in law at Stevenson’s and
Napier. Married to Dr J Bartlett (Senior
Lecturer in cancer research). Two children,
Alastair and Jennifer. Still a committed
Christian.
Mr Gordon J Birrell BCom 1981 Moved from
the Medical Research Council, Edinburgh to
Australia to work in bioscience at the
University of Western Australia. Working to
start up research team in the Western
Australian Institute for Medical Research
which has recently opened.
Mr Robert A Dunn BSc 1981 Head of British
Telecom Radio Structures.
Mr David W Gordon BSc 1981 Senior
Scientist within Discovery Chemistry
Department at Pfizer Research, Kent,
44 E D i T
discoveries of (amongst other drugs) Viagra!
Dr Carmel Lee-Hsia Heah PhD 1981 Teaching
at a university in Singapore. Lived in Canada
1990-99. Has two children, Emily and
Jonathan.
Mr James T Macdonald BSc 1981 Moved to
become Chief Executive of Wesleyan
Financial Services Group, having been
Managing Director of Rover Cars UK.
Mr David Nussbaum MTh 1981 Appointed
(non-executive) Chair of Traidcraft, the
Christian based Fair Trade organisation.
Continues to work as Finance Director of
Oxfam, and with Kathy to bring up four
children.
Ms Eileen C Walker BSc 1981 Heads up the
Mergers and Acquisitions team at Deloitte
and Touche in London but still uses
pharmacology degree, since also has
responsibility for the Pharmaceutical Sector
Group nationally.
Mr John S Bremner BD 1982 Returned to UK
in 1998 after 6 years with the Waldensian
Church in Italy.
Mr Gavin B Inglis MA 1982 Moved to US in
1993. Would be thrilled to hear from anyone
who knew him well enough to care to get in
touch.
Dr Rebecca A Johnson MPhil 1982 Recently
awarded a $500,000 research grant from US
National Institute of Nursing Research for
study “Relation of Ethnic Elders: Decisions
and Sequelae".
Dr Brian P Kinghorn PhD 1982 Appointed
Twynam Chair of Animal Breeding
Techologies November 1995 at Twynam
Pastoral Company (Australia).
Dr Barbara J Newman PhD 1982 Two
children, one boy and one girl. Presently
living in Champaign as husband is there for
one year.
Miss Sarah J Blair MA 1983 Twenty years
after entering Edinburgh, career is now
speckled with interesting changes but none
so exciting and satisfying as full-time
parenthood.
Mrs Catherine A Czechmeister née Crosby
BSc (SS) 1983 MSc 1991 Appears on “Pet
Vet” on Irish TV every week. Has written
book on pet care for young people,
published Sept 1998. Has two children, Anna
and Ella.
Mrs S Feldberg née Warr BSc 1983 Currently
living in Hampshire with two young children;
working part-time as Open University Tutor in
Ecology.
Mr Ralph G Findlay BSc 1983 Finance
Director of Wolverhampton and Dudley
Brewers plc, brewers of Banks’ and
Camerons beers.
Miss Caroline E Grabowska MA (SS) 1983
PhD research published in book form by the
centre of Latin American Studies, Warsaw
University 1998. The book is called : “The
ethnicity of second generation Polish
immigrants in Montevideo” (it is published in
English).
Mr Allastair J McGillivray BCom 1983
Migrated to Australia in May 1998. Working
as a Management Consultant with Citibank
Ltd in Sydney. Celebrated 10th wedding
anniversity in October 1998.
Mr John R Owen BSc 1983 Co-founder of the
Capital Markets Company, a fast growing
international firm specialising in Capital
Markets consultancy.
Mrs A Asamoah Wood MPhil 1983 Married
1972; no kids; gained Landscape
Architecture MPhil 1983. Married again 1996.
A life of experience - the angels could be
jealous!
Mr Zewdie Bishaw MSc 1984 Working in
seed unit of International Centre for
Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
(ICARDA) as Seed Systems Specialist and
Coordinator of West Asia North Africa
(WANA) Seed Network. Married with two
children.
Mr John C Dargie BSc 1984 Has been
working for Scottish National Heritage since
December 1995 - first in Aviemore, now in
Golspie as Natural Project Officer in North
Highland.
Mrs Angie Kay née Ball BCom 1984
Secretary of Institute of Charity Fundraising
Managers (North West), Chair-elect for 19992000. Pleased to hear from other alumni in
fundraising field.
Mr Wycliffe N Okwara MSc 1984 Experience
at UoE has brought the realisation that
Western Kenya has an enormous livestock
production potential. Has identified areas of
agriculture utilisation and practical
application of veterinary medicine as a future
investment for own business. Operates an
agro-vet shop. Future plan is to manufacture
protein concentrate feed for livestock.
Miss Helena M Petre MA 1984 Editor at Gaia
Books. Founder of Wild Women’s Institute
(women and words group) and poet. Has
performed in poetry tent at Glastonbury
Festival 1997 and 1998. Qualified Dreamwork
Therapist 1996.
Dr Kenneth W Simpson BVM&S 1984 Baby Rory Bruce Simpson - born 27th November
1998
Dr Ivor G Chestnutt BDS 1985 Appointed as
Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in
Dental Public Health, University of Wales
College of Medicine.
Ms Joyce I Crawford MA 1985 Has two
daughters, Kirsty aged 4 and Frances aged 1.
Husband stays at home to look after the
children.
Mr John H Foldes MA (SS) 1985 Married
Angela in 1991 and has two children. Working
as Finance Director in European
Manufacturing Group based in Neuss.
Children almost fluent German speakers.
Mrs Louise G Gibb née Evans BSc 1985 First
son, Samuel Peter Gibb, born 1 May 1998.
Scott G Hawkins Esq MBA 1985 Member,
Board of Directors of Law Firm; Policy Coordination, higher education, Bush for
Florida Governor Campaign.
Miss Fiona J Macleod MA 1985 Moved to
Brussels - taking a break from journalism and
hopes to improve languages before
travelling. Home base remains Edinburgh.
Miss Dorothy L Macmillan MA 1985 Since
May 1998, a Sub Contract Manager for
Marconi Electronic Systems.
Dr Fiona C Mactaggart MB ChB 1985 Spent
the last six years in sunny Queensland,
Australia training in Psychiatry and having
twins. Returning to Edinburgh to complete
Psychiatry training and re-establish old
friendships.
Mr Malcolm J Mead BSc 1985 Chartered
Engineer and Member of British Computer
Society.
Mr Iain C Richardson BSc 1985 Promoted to
Director, Manufacturing Strategy & Planning,
Eli Lilley & Co, effective January 1999.
Mrs Ruth E Wadsworth née Church BVM&S
1985 Now has two girls, Amy and Philippa.
Has worked part-time since Amy was born
and hopes to do so again when Philippa is
older.
Mr Peter A Wedderburn BVM&S 1985 Moved
to Ireland with wife Joyce in 1991. Runs own
vet practice in Dublin.
Mrs Licia D Albanese MPhil 1986 Working for
ORACLE Corporation, the database company.
Remarried to Nei Almeida and has three
sons.
Dr Zoe F Butler BSc 1986 PhD 1991 After two
years working for Hewlett Packard in
Boehlingen, Germany, relocated to USA, still
working for Hewlett Packard as Field
Application Engineer in Semiconductor Test
Group.
Mrs Fiona H Buxton née Shaw MA 1986 Now
living in London and studying for an MBA at
London Business School. Is married to
Edward Buxton (Chemistry graduate, 1985)
and has a two year old son.
Dr Gillian M Cannon BSc 1986 After leaving
Edinburgh, married Andrew Gow in 1989.
Obtained MBA in 1992, had twins, John and
Catriona, in 1996, and 1998 had third child,
James, and obtained PhD. Currently working
in sales and marketing for a pharmaceutical
company in the USA.
Dr Andrew G Coyle PhD 1986 Trustee :
Prisoners Abroad. Consultant to UNHCR.
European Director of Human Rights ECPT.
Mr Andrew J Galli MSc 1986 In September of
1998 sold Red Hawk Fiber Optics to Cable
Design Technologies Corporation. Stayed on
as President of Red Hawk / CDT and works in
the further acquisition of fiber optic
companies.
Mr Eric F Johnson MSc 1986 Completed work
on first novel “The Ten Grandmothers".
Looking to publish it shortly.
Mr Simon A King BSc 1986 Currently on
secondment to the US with Zeneca
Pharmaceuticals in Wilmington, Delaware.
Miss Clare P Phillimore BSc 1986 Studying
for Diploma at London Bible College.
Mr Robert S Storrie MBA 1986 Working with
Bechtel on the High Speed Rail link.
Mr Richard W Whitecross MA 1986 LLB 1988
Since graduating in 1986 read for LLB.
Following traineeship worked in a major law
firm before returning to study for an LLM.
Now engaged in research for PhD in Legal
Anthropology and planning to undertake
fieldwork in Bhutan, Nepal and India.
Miss Mary Joan Connors MLitt 1987 Working
part-time, also an adjunct Faculty member at
the University of Miami and Nova
Southeastern University. In the final process
of completing an Ed S (educational
specialist) degree.
Ms Pamela J Dobbie née Martin BSc 1987
Second daughter (Kiera Louise) born 5th
June 1998. Now self-employed sports and
remedial massage therapist following
voluntary redundancy November 1997.
Mr Stuart A Faed BSc 1987 Qualified with
KPMG in 1992, audit manager now working
in Fife; married with 2 sons.
Mr Eliga H Gould MSc 1987 Book published
in March 2000 by University of North
Carolina Press: The Persistence of Empire:
British Political Culture in the Age of the
American Revolution.
Mrs Jacqueline Harris née Meade BCom
1987 Had a son, Robert Gregor, December
1998. Now working from home on a
consulting basis, part time.
Mr Craig A Jeffrey BDS 1987 Completed short
service commission in Royal Army Dental
Corps 1989-96 (postings included Germany,
Cyprus, Gulf War and Bosnia). 1996-98
Principal Dental Officer for Queensland
Health (Bundaberg Region) Australia. About
to join RAF Dental branch.
Mrs Nicola C Longden née ArcedeckneButler MA 1987 In 1996, became a master of
wine, one of just 230 in the world. Now
works as a wine consultant to both Corney
and Barrow wine merchants (with a branch in
Edinburgh) and also to bars and restaurants.
Mrs Susan E MacGillivray née Williams BSc
1987 Enjoying working and living in Glasgow.
Baby boy, Matthew, born 28 June 1998.
Mr James E Miculka MSc 1987 Appointed to
Amtrak Partnership Program Coordinator to
manage new program. Program consists of
placing National Park rangers on trains
throughout the US to provide onboard
InformEd
Mr Michael J Smith BEng 1994 Gained
Chartered Engineer status September
1998. Cycled from Lands End to John
O’Groats for charity in May 1998 and
raised £1,500 for the Anthony Nolan
Bone Marrow Trust.
Provence", San Francisco Opera, Orchestre
Symphonique Neuchatelois, Philharmonie
Gasteig Munich, Fete des Vignerons 1999,
and Northlands Festival, Caithness, among
others.
Mrs Annamaree W McCaffrey née Welsh
BDS 1988 Married (1993) and has one child
(Molly).
Rev Dr David W McHardy BD 1988 BD 1990
Principal Teacher of Religious, Moral and
Philosophical Studies at Inverurie Academy
and Associate Lecturer in World Religions
with the Open University.
Mr Samuel Nyogire MSc 1988 Has a private
primary school in Uganda, and invites
practising and retired teachers to come and
offer the school voluntary service, during
which time we could exchange ideas! Invites
any alumni or students on holiday to visit.
Would provide free accommodation and
traditional meals.
Mrs Susan M Oliver MEd 1988 Writing up
thesis for PhD (Children’s Dance) at Moray
House. Also, doing choreography of stage
musicals for various arts groups - made
“Fringe” debut with Godspell in August 1998.
Dr Lauren B Sickels-Taves PhD 1988
Working as the architectural conservator at
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village,
and teaching historic preservation at Eastern
Michigan University, USA. Two books were
published in 1999: ’The Use of and Need for
Preservation Standards in Architectural
Conservation’ and ’The Lost Art of Tabby
Redefined: Preserving Oglethorpe’s
Architectural Legacy’.
Ms Jane S Thomas MA 1988 Organised a
conference (based at Edinburgh University
Pollock Halls) for the International
Confederation of Architecture Museums in
summer 1998.
Mrs Catriona Watson-Brown née Dawson
MA 1988 Left the BBC April 1998 and went
freelance as an editor / project manager
working mainly on educational books and CD
Roms (foreign languages & ELT).
Mr John D Wilson MTh 1988 Completed
translation of the Bible into the Southern Yali
language of Irian Jaya in October 1998.
Currently involved in training and coaching
missionaries in cross-cultural church
planting.
Mrs J Helen Woods née Corns MA 1988 Son,
Michael John Woods, born 15th June 1996 .
Left teaching in July 1997 to become full time
child-carer. Second son, Andrew James
Woods, born 14th August 1998.
Mrs Lucy Gitonga née Darwin MA (SS) 1989
Principal /Manager of Limuru Girls’ Centre, a
vocational training college for young women
in difficult circumstances. Married to Victor, a
graphics designer, with 3 children.
Mr Iain G Harrison BSc 1989 Son, Thomas
James Fyfe Harrison, born on 14th August
1998.
Mr Mark E Hoskyns-Abrahall BSc 1989
Married to Fiona (née Gordon, 1988
graduate) and has two children. Senior
Manager within Audit and Business Advisory
Services with Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
Mrs Judith A Jere MSc 1989 Promoted to the
Principal Poultry Research Officer and
Commodity Team Leader for Livestock
Research in the Department of Agricultural
Research.
Dr Deborah J Kerr BSc (M) 1989 MB ChB 1991
Left the Royal Navy in August 1998 after 9.5
years.
Rev R A R MacLeod MBA 1989 Passed
Commando course to become Chaplain of 40
commando, Royal Marines, 30th September
1998.
Mr Gordon J Macmillan MA (SS) 1989 PhD
1993 Established partnership, Edinburgh
Development Consultants, March 1998.
Active in third world development issues,
majority of work at present in Brazil, but
applicable world wide.
Mr George E Nowotny LLM 1989 George E
Nowotny IV born 3rd October 1995. James D
Nowotny born 7th April 1997.
Mr Carl Christian Schou BSc 1989 Worked
since 1991 in the North Sea. Married to Dr
Kirsten C Schou, PhD graduate from Leeds
University, with two children.
Mrs Jane H Sladdin née Chalmers BMus
1989 Married 1993. Baby boy born August
1998. Currently living in Somerset.
Mr Andrew B Thain BSc 1989 Working on
and offshore in Operational Performance
Improvement, following a range of technical
and supervisory posts in production
operations, well services, project delivery
and new-field start-up.
Mrs Ruth Waring née Williams BCom 1989
Married husband Graham Waring in
September 1995, and has a two year old son,
Matthew. Works for French transport
company Gefco as UK Operations Manager,
European Road Freight and lives in
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.
1990s
Dr Caroline J Campbell BSc (M) 1990 MB ChB
1992 Has been asked to oversee the setting
up of a 600-bed community hospital in
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Married 21
January 1999 to Dr Adrian Armstrong, the
senior research officer with the Natal Game
Parks Board.
Miss Nithia Devan MBA 1990 Looks after
marketing and communications for
Speedline Technologies Asia, a US based
MNC which sells assembly equipment for
electronics manufacturing. Working in
Singapore is challenging and has made
contact with several people from MBA class
of 89/90 in Singapore. Is in touch with the
newly-formed Edinburgh group here.
Miss Hannah C Dixon MA 1990 Obtained a
Practitioner qualification in Reflexology, July
1998; now takes private clients.
Mrs Sue A Dolquist MTh 1990 Rev Dan &
Sue Dolquist welcomed their third child
Diana Victoria in August 1997. Her brothers,
Nathaniel (7) and Timothy (4) enjoy their
sister.
Dr John S Ennis MB ChB 1990 Further
qualification: MRCGP. Fellowship in
Department of Community Health Sciences.
Mr Robert M Frame MA 1990
Working as Project Manager with Antenna
Audio, an audio interpretation company with
office in Edinburgh Castle. Would like to hear
from former colleagues and friends from
University days. Work tel is: 0131 220 5206
Miss Helen K Ironside LLB 1990 Dip 1991
Previously a solicitor with Dundas & Wilson,
Edinburgh and subsequently with Wilde
Sapte, London, has given up practice and is
now a Legal Recruitment Consultant with
Reynell, London.
Mr Nigel M Leishman BSc 1990 Graduated
MSc in Air Transport Management 1991.
Worked for 3 years in Middle East for express
courier company DHL. Joined aircraft
manufacturer Airbus Industrie in Toulouse
France 1995. Appointed Director, Customer
Marketing in 1998. Now married and living in
the heart of French countryside.
Mr Michael F McCullough BSc 1990 Moved
back to Geneva, to seek new opportunities
away from Central England. Now or never!
Married to Gelise, with 1 boy called Bryn.
Always happy to hear from fellow graduates.
Mmccullough@wanadoo.fr.
Mr Craig H Smeal MA 1990 Has completed
several international advertising campaigns
since gaining Equity Card, most recently
Adidas for France, Holland and Spain. Also
completed first main acting role - a principal
Professor H Keith Moffatt BSc 1957
Director of the Isaac Newton Institute for
Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge. Has
received an unusual honour in France: an
engraved Napoleonic sword from the
Ecole Polytechnique, where he has taught
for seven years as a (visiting) Professor
de Mécanique. The first Briton to have
received this Honour in the 200-year
history of this famous Grande Ecole, Keith
has also been elected a Foreign Member
of the French Academy of Sciences.
Keith’s love of France started with a
school exchange between George
Watson’s College and the Lycee Henri IV
in Paris in 1953, when he lived ’en famille’
for two months in the Boulevard Raspail.
“It was a mind-blasting experience” he
said, “and I never looked back”.
in an independent feature “The Quarrymen".
Mr Joseph S Turner MA 1990 Called to the
Bar at Gray’s Inn 1997; now working as a
Naval Barrister at the Fleet Headquarters.
Mr John H Woods BSc 1990 Left science in
September 1997 for proper job (IT). PhD viva
in March 1998. Handed in finished PhD
thesis, January 1999.
Mr Eneko Agirre MSc 1991 Built a spelling
checker / corrector for Basque. It is a
commercial version integrated in Microsoft
Office.
Mrs Lila W Balisky MTh 1991 In addition to
teaching at the Evangelical Theological
College in Addis Ababa, has assisted in the
establishment of the Women’s Ministry
Learning Center in Ethiopia. Very grateful for
the value of the MTh earned at New College.
Mrs Alison J Bathgate née Ross MA 1991
Married to Adjutant of Royal Scots. About to
move to Northern Ireland. Teacher at Orwell
Park School, Ipswich, Suffolk.
Miss Lesley J Durrans BSc 1991 Married in
May 1999. Currently working for agricultural
feed company and continuing studies in
poultry. Seeking permanent residence in
South Africa.
Dr Jehu J Hanciles MTh 1991 PhD 1995 PhD
from CSCNWW (Faculty of Divinity) in 1995,
thereafter taught for 3 years at Africa
University (Zimbabwe). Visiting Scholar at
Fuller Theological Seminary, working on a
book entitled ’Euthanasia of a Mission: Crisis
and Challenge.’
Mr Jonathan M Harris LLB 1991 LLM 1993
Married and working as a Journalist for a
national business magazine in Toronto,
Canada.
Mr Andrew P Mahaffy BEng 1991 Became
Chartered with Institute of Marine Engineers
and Institution of Structural Engineers and
started own consultancy in 1998.
Dr Charlotte M Methuen BD 1991 PhD 1995
Ordained Deacon in the Anglican Church
28th May 1998. Ordained Priest 1999. A
book, ’Kepler’s Tubiyan Stimulus to
Theological Mathematics’ published 1998 by
Ashgath.
Dr Christopher J G Peaker BSc 1991
Following doctorate at Cambridge and then
E D i T 45
photographs contributed
interpretive and educational programs of the
cultural and natural history of the United
States.
Mr Robert S Preston MBA 1987 Recently
appointed MD of AXA investment managers
in NY. Robbie, age 2, (Roberton Sheffey
Preston IV) recently ate haggis and loved it!!
Dr Peter Balla MTh 1988 PhD 1994 1994 PhD
Thesis was published by Mohr-Siebeck in
Tubingen (1997), then by Hendrickson
Publishers in the US (1998). Title: Challenges
to New Testament Theology.
Ms Karen J Black née Turton BSc (SS) 1988
Did Postgraduate in Careers Guidance at
Napier University. Now Careers Advisor for
Fife Careers in Kirkcaldy. Married to Sandy in
1993, no kids (yet!) but dotes on 2 pet
gerbils called Coffee and Cream. Lives in
Kincardine-on-Forth.
Mrs Fiona H Campbell née Brown MA 1988
Married, working for Scotland’s only working
square-rigged tall ship, Jean de la Lune:
registered in Leith and sailing the Western
Isles and Canaries with fare-paying guests.
Lives in Leith.
Miss Susan E Coulthard MA 1988 Awarded
the United Nations Medal for Peacekeeping
for service in Bosnia.
Miss Suzanne C Doran MA 1988 Since
graduating, has worked in production
journalism and information management in
Edinburgh, London and N America, then
returned home to Northern Ireland, setting
up own small business, then moved into
marketing and business development. Since
November 1998 has worked as Head of
Business Development Dept for the RUC
Athletic Association Ltd, one of Northern
Ireland’s leading sports and business
organisations.
Miss Anne L Henly BSc 1988 After five years
working as a navigator on a seismic survey
vessel in the oil industry, has moved to
Aberdeen and is a freelance photographer,
also studio photography (portraits and
commercial).
Mr Neil Hume BVM&S 1988 Son born
10/01/99, George William, a brother for
James Alexander. Started a new job in
Pickering in May 1998.
Mr David A Laing BSc 1988 Married to Sarah
(née Duthie, a fellow alumna), living in
London but still find plenty of excuses to
travel to Scotland - Burns, rugby, walking,
skiing, fishing, shooting.
Miss Christina S Maclachlan BSc 1988
Married May 1998.
Mr Laurence W Mallon BMus 1988 Various
freelance engagements as
pianist/repetiteur/conductor. In the last two
years has been engaged by the “Festival
International D’Art Lyrique D’Aix-en-
World service
qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1998,
now with Grant Thornton Corporate Finance.
Please get in touch!
Miss Susannah Robb MA 1991 LLB 1994 Now
working in PFI Department, Structural
Finance of Bank of Scotland, having qualified
as a Chartered Accountant in 1998.
Dr Julia A Smith BCom 1991 Conducting
research with Dr James Foreman-Peck in the
Institute of Economics and Statistics at the
University of Oxford. The work examines the
determinants of entrepreneurship in France
and the UK.
Dr Fiona S Stewart PhD 1991 Although still
operating as consultant, currently carrying
out a PGDIP study in Hydrographic Surveying
at University of Plymouth to augment
Geological qualifications. Also relocated
business to UK from Norway
Mrs Pauline M Walsh née Murphy MA 1991
Married Philip Walsh BVMS MRCVS(1993) in
July 1994. Now has one son, Jack, born
October 1997. Enjoying life and work in
Wales.
Dr Kathryn Cunningham née Dunlop MB ChB
1992 Married David Cunningham 27/02/98.
Miss Laura A Davidson MA 1992 Barrister
(Tenant) in London. Nightingale Research
Scholar at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Honorary
Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for
Ms Alison D Craig BCom 1980 Graduated
1980, qualified as a Chartered
Accountant, moved into management
consultancy. After 13 years with KPMG
and 1 year with PA Consulting, quit job to
go freelance as a Dressage Trainer in
1997. Now trains individuals with their
own horses and loves it! Also has a
gorgeous 1 year old daughter and
wonderful husband (also a Management
Consultant) - what a wonderful life!
Financial Crimes Studies, College of Law,
University of Florida.
Mrs Justine Geyer née Crowe BSc 1992 Had a
baby daughter, Anna Geyer, on 22nd April
1998.
Mrs Katheryn Gibbons née Ure BSc 1992
Married Mr Russell Gibbons, a senior
Brasserie Chef at the Dalmahoy Golf and
Country Club, near Edinburgh in June 1998
Dr Stephen J Leslie BSc (M) 1992 MB ChB
1994 Recent Trans-Africa overland trip by
landrover from Edinburgh to Capetown via
Middle East, Jan - June 1998.
Miss Siobhan A McGrath BMus 1992
Teaching in Jebel Ali PS, Dubai, UAE.
Mr David McNierney MBA 1992 Named VicePresident of the Tenfold Corporation
Telecommunication Group. Tenfold is a fast
growing software and services company that
builds large-scale, survival-dependent
solutions in extremely short time frames for a
fixed price.
Dr Lindsey Menzies BSc 1992 Gained PhD
from Glasgow University in December 1997.
Dr Kathryn Newell MB ChB 1992 Married Dr
Mark Kroese (MB ChB 1992) at Ashkirk
Parish Church in the Scottish Borders,
46 E D i T
August 1999.
Mrs Alison R Taylor née Armstrong MA 1992
Married Richard Taylor on 26th September
1992.
Mrs T E K Wallis-Smith née Wallis BEng 1992
Has two young children.
Dr Dominic Watt MA 1992 Worked for a year
at a teaching training college in Germany,
then returned to the UK to do a PhD at the
University of Newcastle. Now a Research
Fellow on a research project at the University
of Leeds.
Mr Ernest R Aubee MSc 1993 Appointed
Senior Programme Manager for Action Aid in
The Gambia. Also appointed a member of
the board of directors, Methodist Mission
Agricultural Programme.
Dr Christine J Bishop née Kay PhD 1993 Chris
(1989-92) and Dan (1992-94) Bishop met at
Edinburgh University, married and moved to
New Zealand. Now living in Perth, WA, with
two little girls, and working at Woodside
Energy.
Dr Kevin T Corley BSc (V) 1993 BVM&S 1993
PhD 1997. Engaged to Jennifer Stephen 1999.
Currently in USA pursuing further critical
training.
Dr Steffan Corley MA 1993 PhD 1998 Works
as a Research Scientist at Sharp Laboratories
of Europe in Oxford. Married Rebecca Bryant
(also an Edinburgh graduate MA & PhD in
Philosophy) in 1997 and completed PhD in
1998.
Miss Philippa M Hill MA 1993 Managing PanHighland 2000, an arts in education project
involving young people across the Highlands
in a celebration of culture and change.
Mr Timothy G Howe BMus 1993 MMus 1994
Married Hayley Murphy (MA Hons French &
German 1994) in October 1998.
Dr Michael V Mendler PhD 1993 Appointed
Reader in Computer Science, Sheffield
University, on 1st February 1999.
Mr Osmond Mugweni MSc 1993 Will be lead
delegate to the World Science Conference to
be held in Hungary in June 1999.
Mr David Richardson MA 1993 Married to
Ruth Ritchie BEd (Hons) on 27/3/99.
Graduated from Queens University with PhD
in History 1998. Moved to Dublin - studying
for the Anglican Ministry and Ruth is
teaching.
Miss Imogen C Russon BSc 1993 Presently
taking a work sabbatical on a round the
world ticket for 6-12 months
Miss Caroline J Saunders BCom 1993 Worked
at Carnaud Metalbox for 2.5 years and now
works at Imperial Tobacco in Nottingham.
Bought a derelict house two years ago and
have done it up. Interests: travelling, trekking
and rock climbing.
Miss Deborah J Smith MA 1993 Has worked
in Cambridge since 1993. Currently a
manager at the examination board. Due to
marry Alex Howes.
Mr Matthew T Aitken BEng 1994
Management Grade, RF Design Engineer at
Mitel Semiconductor. Designing front end
IC’s for Digital Satellite set top box tuners.
Mr Ian W Baxter MA (SS) 1994 Completed
PhD in Heritage Management and juggling
joint career in University administration and
heritage research/consultancy.
Miss Adrianne N Bender MSc 1994 MSc 1995
Awarded James Arthur Fellowship by
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at New
York University. Currently finishing
dissertation in 19th century Scottish
historical fiction. Look forward to seeing old
friends in Edinburgh this summer.
Mr Stephen J Blakeway MSc 1994 Now
working in community animal health and
welfare education with VETWORK UK.
Miss Karen J Bold BSc 1994 Completed CIM
Diploma and currently studying for ICD
Certificate (verified by UoE). Working in
Relationship Marketing at Safeway HQ, using
loyalty card data to build profitable customer
relationships.
Miss Wendy K Boyd MA (SS) 1994 Dip 1995
Teaching architecture part-time at University
of East London. Recently changed practices
to Tim Ronalds Architects - Project Architect,
working on Hackney Empire Theatre, London.
Miss Tanera M Bryden MA 1994 Currently
living and working in London. Exhibiting /
practising painter.
Dr Steven Joseph Clapcott MSc 1994
Finished Doctoral Thesis in November 1998
and was awarded a PhD by Liverpool
University in July 1999. Is now working as a
post doctoral Research Fellow in the
Department of Zoology at Oxford University.
His field is mouse genomics.
Mr Peter J Dalgliesh MA (SS) 1994 Married
Kate Ormond on 24th April 1999.
Dr E S Louise Faber BSc 1994 Obtained PhD
from Bristol University in 1998. Post-Doctoral
Research Fellow at Australian National
University, Canberra, Australia.
Mr David A Harker BEng 1994 Completed
MSc at Newcastle University, now working as
research associate.
Miss Kristina E Knopper MSc 1994 Since
October 1998 working at the University of
Maastricht’s Language Centre as a director of
studies and language trainer in English,
responsible for training and development.
Miss Katharine F Lockett MA 1994 At Kress
Institution for Paper Conservation at the
Strans Centre, Harvard Art Museums in
Boston working on their private collections
as well as private works of art on paper.
Ms Stavroula Moshogianni MSc 1994 Baby
boy, born on April Fools Day 1998.
Miss Ruth A Nicol BSc 1994 Studying for a
PhD with the University of Highlands and
Islands looking at Employment Creation and
the Environment of the Scottish Rural
Islands. Based in Perth.
Miss Jessica M Nightingale MA 1994
Operating mim-credit (microframe) schemes
for resettled villagers in the rural areas of
central Cambodia.
Dr Timothy W Rideout PhD 1994 Left
Bartholomew last summer with a colleague
and launched the XYZ Digital Map Co Ltd,
specialising in large scale town plans,
starting with Edinburgh.
Mr Martin S Ritchie MA 1994 Took up a new
position as Events Manager with BT Scottish
Ensemble June 1998 - a new and exciting
challenge which has included setting up the
Ensemble’s first UK tour of cathedrals and
churches in December 1998.
Miss Rebecca K Thompson MA 1994 Started
’hanging space’ art gallery in April 1998
showing young, contemporary artists.
Mr Wai C Wong BCom 1994 Took career
break 1998 to be a ski rep with Crystal
Holidays in France. Currently Assistant
Company Secretary of Chelsea Village (owns
Chelsea Football Club).
Dr Ana M Echevarria Arsuaga PhD 1995 New
book published: ’The Fortress of Faith: The
attitudes towards Muslisms in fifteenthcentury Spain’, Leiden: Brill, 1999.
Mr Johan Berg LLM 1995 Employed as an
advisor at the Norwegian Ministry of Justice
and the Police.
Ms Andrea Chow BSc 1995 Married 1999.
Dr Morten Christiansen PhD 1995 Started
new position at Southern Illinois University
(Assistant Professor of Psychology) in
January 1999.
Mrs Helen M Cooper née Williamson MA
1995 Dewsbury Education social work is
part-time. Also works for Huddersfield
University and Open University tutoring on
Diploma in Social Work Courses.
Mr Nathan A Cunningham MA 1995 Married
Julie, July 1997; moved to Southern California
August 1997; started working for Platinum
Technology (IT management tools-QA
Analyst), September 1997. Attends the
Master’s Seminary part-time (working
towards MDiv degree).
Miss Elena F Galiano MA (SS) 1995 Living in
Rome, working as a “Johnson’s baby”..
Meanwhile investigating the opportunity to
move to the UK.......
Mr Rahul Handa BCom 1995 Qualified as a
Chartered Accountant and became member
of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
after completing a three year contract with
Arthur Andersen in August 1998. Accepted
offer to continue with Arthur Andersen and
promoted to Executive within the Corporate
Finance division in Scotland.
Miss Rachel Holland BSc 1995 Completed a
post-graduate Diploma in Psychology.
Miss Kerry L Jackson MA 1995 Has been
living in Mexico since graduating and has
married a Mexican. Three University friends
travelled for the wedding in Guadalajara.
Mr Lughano J Kusiluka MPhil 1995 Lecturer
in Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of
Agriculture. PhD candidate in Molecular
Epidemiology of CBPP and CCPP in Tanzania
at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural
University, Copenhagen.
Mr Ben McNally BSc 1995 Lured away by the
prospects of GAM starts, has regretfully left
the world of academia - and transformed
from “Dr Latex” to “Bolly Boy”.
Dr Richard R Moeller PhD 1995 After
teaching for two years in Las Vegas, Nevada,
USA, obtained position as a Professor of
Political Science at the Metropolitan State
College of Denver, USA. Wife is an
Obstetrician practising in Colorado.
Miss Cathy Ratcliffe BSc 1995 New post as
Research Assistant in Department of
Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the
European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy.
Miss Denise J Rosborough MA (SS) 1995
Flew to Port Shepstone, South Africa to
commence a 19 month contract with an
interdenominational church as a youth
worker.
Ms C Ross MBA 1995 Moving to London to
work in marketing, possibly for distancelearning management education company.
Dr Gerard De Groot PhD 1984 Recently
published ‘A Noble Cause? America and
the Vietnam War’. It examines the military,
political and social aspects of the war in
one volume, and has been praised as ‘the
best single volume history of the Vietnam
War.’ It is currently the 10th most popular
book with San Diego based amazon.com
shoppers.
Mr Edward K Miller MA (SS) 1968
Completed PhD in Folklore at the
University of Texas. Now a full-time
performer of Scottish music throughout
North America, and host of a folk music
programme on KUT-FM, Austin. Currently
recording 5th CD with Brian McNeill
producing. Most recent CD “The
Edinburgh Rambler” has been licensed for
European distribution by Greentrax
Recordings of Cockenzie, Scotland.
accountancy firms. Started working for
KPMG.
Mr Duncan I Christison LLB 1997 Gained
Diploma in Legal Practice (Distinction) from
Aberdeen University. Presently working in
Edinburgh with corporate/commercial law
firm.
Mr John A Conway BD 1997 Working as a
Priest at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in the
west end of Edinburgh. Enjoying life.
Mr Marcus P Dill MA 1997 Currently working
for a film financier in London and making
short films in spare time. Misses Edinburgh
and the space it gave me - London’s just not
the same!
Mr Iain Dobson BSc 1997 Currently helping
other people to get jobs in Aberdeen and
hopes to start studying towards a
professional accountancy qualification.
Mr Hamish D Duncan BVM&S 1997 Married
Rachel Reynolds, also an Edinburgh
graduate, on 31st July 1999.
Dr Magda C Elliot MB ChB 1997 Paediatrics
in London. Planning to work in Africa 2001.
Ms Frankie A Fathers MA 1997 Paintings
based on Chinese calligraphy are to be
displayed in the British Council Headquarters
in Beijing. Her work will also be exhibited in a
mixed show in London in May 1999.
Dr Sarah L Gorman MB ChB 1997 Working
part-time as a GP trainee and also studying
part-time for an MSc in Sociology of Health
and Health Care.
Mr Vasilis P Milingos MSc 1997 Currently
doing Military service in the Greek Army
(Division of Informatics) due to end April
2000.
Miss Alison C Mitchell LLB 1997 Passed
graduate conversion chartered accountancy
exams in 1998. Move to Grant Thornton,
Farnham. Joined Aldershot and Farnham
hockey club, playing 2nd XI.
Ms Catherine M Nelson-Shaw MA 1997
Started at Boots, September 1997. Positions
include Boots the Chemists Consumer PR
and Halfords Business Development.
Currently working in product management at
Boots the Chemists.
Mr Piers G Pepperell BVM&S 1997
Continuing veterinary career in large animals,
helping to start up England’s smallest zoo in
Somerset. Also keen member of Somerset
Operatic Society playing a lead role in 101
Dalmations - the Musical.
Mrs Sarah Louise Roberts née Aldridge BEng
1997 Married February 1999; started MSc in
Contaminated Land Management at
Nottingham University in September 1999.
Working for Geo/Environmental Consultant
in the Midlands.
Mr Thomas A Glover Wilson BSc 1997 Spent
a year living with his girlfriend (from Santa
Cruz - where he spent his third year) in
Bordeaux, teaching English and loving it. Has
been in London for several months now and
is forging an entertaining and lucrative career
in the financial IT industry.
Ms Kathryn E Windsor MA 1997 Moved to
Paris 1997. Has worked as an Au Pair and as
a Bi-lingual Secretary. Having a fantastic time
meeting lots of people. Highlight of year
must be participating in the opening
ceremony of the World Cup. Hopes to move
shortly.
Mr Ian G Barnes 1998 Doing postgraduate
study on the MRes course at Edinburgh
University. Undertaking a personal research
project using chlorine-36 cosmogeric dating
to constrain the ages of rock platforms on
the Isle of Mull, West Scotland.
Miss Rachel E Bulbulian 1998 Spending 12
months travelling in Australia working on
conservation schemes.
Miss Fiona M Cameron-Moore 1998 Six
months with Independent has been
interesting but finding the ’mobility’ needed
difficult. Close touch with other alumni of
1998 at weekends in London.
Mr Oliver B C Campbell 1998 Is having a
great time staying in Edinburgh, maintaining
a student lifestyle and looking for work in TV
and film. Has worked on a 35mm film for a
local production company. Looking to
eventually work on scientific documentaries.
Mr C Catto 1998 At University of Warwick
doing PGCE in Science (secondary).
Mr Alexander J Conway 1998 Embarked on
World Tour with fellow graduates Graham
Menzies and Paul Reynolds.
Mr M Copeland 1998 From September 1998 Law Student - London.
Mr Glenn A Cosby 1998 Seeking employment
in Barcelona and hopes to improve Spanish.
Miss K Datwani 1998 Doing a 1 year diploma
course at Christie’s, in the Fine and
Decorative Arts.
Miss Georgina L Doughty 1998 Taking a year
out. Had a summer placement with Mobil
North Sea Ltd. Currently working with the
Geology Group at the Hawaii Volcano
Observatory.
Miss Joanna K Eeles 1998 Ran the New York
Marathon 1st November 1998 for MacMillan
Cancer Research. Raised £3,000 and finished
in 3 hours 34 minutes.
Miss S Firmin 1998 Currently studying in
Florence and teaching English there.
Dr Jane Gibson 1998 Took up consultant post
in 1997 as Head of the Fife Rheumatic
Diseases Unit. Birth of second child Angus.
Eilidh is 3.
Miss Fiona Girdler 1998 Studying for a PhD
at Newcastle University doing research in
breast cancer.
Mr James A Gustard 1998 Developing British
Airways world class electronic commerce
platform.
Miss Joanne Hamill 1998 Moving from
Faculty of Medicine to Faculty of Science and
Engineering at the University to take up
Senior Admin/Deputy Faculty Officer post.
Miss Geraldine Harrison 1998 Internship for
the Liberal Democrats until 6th May 1999.
Hopes to continue and wants to work in the
Scottish Parliament as a Researcher.
Miss N Heron 1998 From October 1998 to
August 1999 travelled in Australia and
Thailand. From September 1999 undertaking
MSc in Industrial Relations and Personnel
Management at the London School of
Economics (LSE).
Mr Jeremy A Hopkins MA 1998 Studied for
MSc Development Studies, graduated
September 1999.
Mr J Khoury 1998 Hasn’t quite cracked the
film industry yet, but is going to go to Brazil
to make a documentary on the nightclubs
over there.
Mrs Penda Lamb née Asquith 1998 Married
on 8 August 1998 at Chapel Haddlesey,
Yorkshire, to Andrew Lamb, also a 1998
graduate, and now lives in Scotland
Miss Larissa M O Litchfield 1998 Starting as
freelance corporate video maker for arts
organisations and charities. Preparing to
make anthropological documentaries in the
future.
Miss Anna Louise McConnachie 1998
Working as a Process Development Engineer
for Procter and Gamble in Egham, Surrey.
Mr Alan Roy McHardy 1998 Teaching
Geology to A level & GCSE students at
private field centre in Lochranza, Isle of
Arran. Friends welcome to stay.
Mr Paul R Napper 1998 Began three-year
contract with Reed Personnel Services to
train for IPD qualification.
Miss Claire R Newbon 1998 Working for
Christie’s, London. Has participated in
impressionist sales and is hoping to work in
Old Master Department.
Mr Paul Hubertus Leonardus Nillesen 1998
MSc in Economics for Development - Oxford
University. Consultant - London Economics as
of September 1999.
Mr Richard W Orange 1998 Sold Gas for
Scottish Power then qualified and started
teaching English in Spain. Next .......?
Mr T Paul 1998 Travelling in Asia.
Mr Robert W Proctor 1998 Studying for
certificate of postgraduate studies in History
of Art (prior to PhD if funding is available) at
Cambridge University (Clare College).
Miss Huma Raza 1998 Worked on a
photographic exhibition, ’Talking Pictures’,
photographs of South Asian women’s
lifestyle and culture in Edinburgh (29 January
- 1 May 1999). Hard work but thoroughly
enjoyable.
Mr Robert W Rea 1998 Commenced studying
for DPhil in Plant Genetics in October 1998 at
the University of York.
Mr Richard Reeve MA 1998 Studying for an
MSc in International Relations at the London
School of Economics.
Mr Lindsay Robertson 1998 Left NCR and
joined Andersen Consulting. Is presently
managing a card services project for a Polish
bank.
Mr W Snook 1998 Hopefully about to begin
18 months of helicopter pilot training,
possibly in view to flying the new Apache
Attack Helicopter.
Mr Gordon Stove BSc 1998 Chief Executive
of own radar information technology
company. Going very well. Global Patent
pending.
Miss Polly Anne Sutherland 1998 Doing a
computer course to gain an RSA 3 certificate,
going to the gym every day and doing a child
care fund processing course.
Mr Christian C Velten 1998 Worked in a
psychiatric hospital, then left for central
Africa, April 1999.
Dr Renata Viera 1998 Teaching Artificial
Intelligence and Human Computer
Interaction in Sao Leopolde, Brazil.
Mr Duncan J Wilson 1998 After six months
voluntary human rights work in Colombia,
will start a Masters degree in Sweden.
E D i T 47
Thank you to everyone who sent in news for publication. We are also pleased to forward letters to people listed here. Opinions expressed are those of the contributors.
photographs contributed
InformEd
Dr David S Sharrock PhD 1995 Birth of first
child in July 1998: a gorgeous baby girl called
Aislynn Louise.
Mr Greig J Taylor BSc 1995 Currently
completing a PGCE (FE) and serving with 1st
Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Regiment.
Mr Gregor P Townsend MA (SS) 1995 MBE
awarded for services to Rugby Union
Football.
Mrs Caroline A Welch née Shaw LLB 1995
Married Keith Welch on 5th September 1998 met in Brewster House, Pollock Halls 1991.
Mr Neil A Benson BSc 1996 Spent two years
working for an HR consultancy; now a
Management Consultant based in Edinburgh.
Mr Patrick J Burke BVM&S 1996 Working in
general practice in Somerset. Spends free
time drinking cider, ferret racing and morrisdancing.
Miss Gillian M Cuthill MA 1996 Working at
The Fruitmarket Gallery as Touring
Exhibitions Officer.
Ms Ursula J Fearn MSc 1996 Project Coordinator of Ladywell Friendly Bank, one of
the West Lothian Neighbourhood Friendly
Networks. Year 2 of Diploma in Nutritional
Therapy from Institute of Optimum Nutrition
(London).
Ms Emma A Goldberg BSc 1996 Studying for
an MSc in Conservation at UCL. The one-year
course is quite a challenge and by the end
shall have proved my mettle.
Mr Scott A Gray BCom 1996 Living in
Clapham, working for Andersen Consulting.
Mr Grant MacPhee BSc 1996 Studying for a
PhD in Applied Mathematics at Strathclyde
University, Glasgow.
Mr Bruce Marsland MSc 1996 Book on
language teaching published by CUP in 1998.
Now working on language issues for Nokia in
Finland.
Miss Allison McLaren BEng 1996 Working on
environmental projects with Scottish Power
Plc, a far cry from electrical engineering!
Having a great time and looking to progress
in the field in the future.
Mrs Adela C Mitchell MSc 1996 Teaching
English as a foreign language in Edinburgh
and Paris, alongside Clinical Aromatherapy.
Ms Jane M Thom BSc 1996 Set up business
with partner and hopes to expand it.
Dr Thomas G Velek PhD 1996 Birth of son,
Avery Ray Velek (first child), 30th May 1998.
Mr Ewan Walker BSc 1996 Married, 19th
June 1999, to Catriona Wallace who is a
physiotherapy student at QMC.
Mr Alistair M Wilkie MSc 1996 After a very
successful six-months teaching in the
Solomon Islands returned to Edinburgh and
working in the Scottish Office Geographical
Information Services as a GIS Consultant.
Ms Ina F Barnes MA 1997 Doing a one-year
postgraduate at Oxford in Museum
Ethnography.
Miss Claire Boffey LLB 1997 Due to be
married on 15/06/00 to Richard Moir. Passed
second level ICAS exams and progressing
well at work. Spent a couple of months
working abroad through job.
Mr Richard A Buchanan BSc 1997 Graduated
with an MSc in Analytical Chemistry from the
University of Huddersfield, November 1998.
Returned to the University of Huddersfield in
December 1998 to work at the Centre for
Thermal Studies.
Dr Mehmet A Buyukkara PhD 1997 Was
appointed Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Ilabiyat
(Theology) at the Canakkale Onsetizmart
University, Turkey in September 1998.
Miss Helen E Campbell LLB 1997 After
graduating spent 14 months working and
travelling in Australasia. On return applied
for graduate recruitment positions with
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48 E D i T
a
Meal
to remember
“I was not fazed by raw fish and
octopus in coconut cream, sea urchins,
or the Palolo reef worm”
A Little Local Delicacy
A
PLAIN SUBURBAN house in Auckland
may not seem a particularly exotic place
to have a memorable lunch, but the
circumstances were a bit unusual. We
had just disembarked for the day from
the P & O liner ‘Oronsay’ on our way to Fiji and the
Polynesian island of Samoa. (It used to be called
‘Western’ in those days. Remember the Welsh rugby
quip? - ‘It’s a good job we are only playing Western
Samoa and not the whole of it.’)
My wife’s auntie wanted to be the first to introduce
me to Polynesian hospitality: to meet the extended
family and savour some of the island delicacies. As guest
of honour I was conducted around the table. Each dish
was given a name and a brief description of what it
contained. I was not fazed by raw fish and octopus in
coconut cream, sea urchins, or the Palolo reef worm that
spawns in the moonlight one night in the year. I knew
about breadfruit and taro even though the latter had
been described to me as looking and tasting like boiled
concrete. I knew about chop suey, sweet and sour, egg fu
yong, baked fish, curry, suckling pig and turkey,
50 E D i T
cranberry sauce, roast beef and lamb - but all together?
And then my host, with a twinkle in her eye, directed
my attention to the one remaining dish, the ‘pièce de
résistance’ served in a beautiful cut crystal bowl - corned
beef straight out of the tin and raw onion!
After lunch my uncle took me for a drive over the
harbour bridge. “One or two things I thought you
ought to know,” he said. “This extended family
business, can be a bit of a pain. Let me pass on some
advice. When you get to the Islands put on a party.
Invite the lot of them. Don’t skimp on the booze.
They’ll expect you to make a speech. Tell them how
happy you are to meet them. Explain that as they know
what you look like, and you know what they look like,
they can now all clear off.”
Good advice? - or bad? I do not know. But we are still
here and frequently have taro and corned beef for lunch.
JOHN ATHERTON, MB ChB 1964
Apia Samoa