News in Brief (News) – 21 October 2005

THE ROMAN Catholic Bishop of Aberdeen has come under fire from Catholic students of this university for seemingly criticising both the current pope, Benedict XVI, and the late John Paul II. Bishop Moran was the guest preacher at the weekly Sunday service in St. Salvator’s Chapel on October 16, 2005. Catholic student denounced both perceived attacks on the two pontiffs, as well as using an ecumenical academic chapel service to discuss “in-house business”.

The Bishop is believed to have said that the Pope is “the Servant of the Servants of God” referring to one of the official titles of the Bishop of Rome, but that he “thinks the current Pope may have forgotten that.” Chapel attendees also said the Bishop implied that John Paul II did not have a personal relationship with Christ until towards the end of his life “he allowed himself to be humbled” by physical illness.

Tensions Over Proposal to Close Local School

Vol. IV, No. 1, October 21, 2005

TENSIONS HAVE arisen in St Andrews over the prospect of one of the Royal Burgh’s four primary schools facing closure. Fife Council have launched a ‘consultation exercise’ on the future of Greyfriars Primary School.

Friends and family of Greyfriars School have mounted strong protests at the prospect of their school, the only Catholic school in town, being closed instead of one of the three secular schools.

The tensions over the situation have apparently overflown to the children themselves. Henry Paul, chariman of the school board, was reported in the Scotsman as saying that students at Greyfriars Primary School had faced abuse during a summer play camp. “Some adults have already accused Greyfriars of trying to take over or replace their school. Our pupils have also been verbally abused at summer camp about Greyfriars ‘stealing’ their school. It has been very distressing to say the least.”

The Greyfriars building was built in the late 19th century. Roger Stewart, the head of education for Fife Council, said that “Greyfriars is an old building and it would cost a lot of money to bring it up to 21st century standard... We will be looking at the condition and suitability of all the schools in St Andrews.”

A decision to close or merge Greyfriars could be seen as part of the general trend away from old buildings with history and character, and often coziness, towards newer, more modern, functional, and emotionally cold buildings favoured by bureaucrats, but generally not by families.

Old Course Hotel Berated for Name of New Jazz Club

Hotel intends to name it after recent graduate

Vol. IV, No. 1, October 21, 2005

THE OLD Course Hotel has faced criticism over its plan to erect a jazz club at the luxury facility and name it William’s, after recent graduate William Wales.

The venue would cost more than £1 million to construct, on the roof of the Old Course Hotel. The club would seat eighty and overlook the 17th hole of the Old Course itself.

Jonathan Stapleton, general manager of the hotel, said the idea for a jazz club came from the Prince himself. “[The Old Course] was one of the places he and his friends would come to, free from minders, to enjoy a drink,” he told Scotland on Sunday. “We got talking to him one night and he simply said that the trouble with St Andrews is that there is really nowhere to go after 10pm if you want an evening of more than just drinking.” Stapleton says the Prince suggested the hotel open a jazz club, and that Herb Kohler, owner of the Old Course Hotel, became enthusiastic over the idea. Stapleton said it will be called William’s.

The naming has caused much ire, however. A University source was quoted in Scotland on Sunday as saying “This will leave a bad taste in the mouth of many in the town,” while Students Association President Alex Yabroff said “it is obvious the Old Course Hotel is trading on his name.” A local councillor described it as “a bit cheeky.”