Latest news with #JohnHoney
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Historic Scottish pier reopens after massive £3m appeal to tackle devastating storm damage
The historic pier will be reopened for the first time since being badly damaged in a storm in November 2023 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The medieval pier at St Andrews Harbour is set to reopen after major work to repair devastating storm damage. The 14th-century structure has been closed to the public since November 2023. The pier will be brought back into service with a torchlit procession and a historic walk, with access to the public restored from Thursday, May 1. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It comes after a massive fundraising effort to cover the £3 million repair bill for the breach of the seawall, with walkways also re-laid. There is still work to be done on less visible parts of the pier, but its re-opening is seen as a milestone for the town. The historic harbour suffered significant storm damage. Picture: Fife Free Press The main pier will reopen to the public after the annual Gaudie Procession takes place. Organised by the Kate Kennedy Club, it commemorates John Honey, a University of St Andrews student who rescued members of the crew of the vessel Janet of Macduff in 1800. Every year, students, led by a piper, process by candlelight to the East Sands where they lay a wreath at the site of the shipwreck. After processing from Younger Hall on North Street in St Andrews, the public are welcome to view the spectacle on the pier from around 7.30pm. Ken Sweeney, chairman of St Andrews Harbour Trust, said: 'Reopening the pier in time for the Gaudie Procession feels especially meaningful. This beloved and iconic tradition, where students and townspeople gather as night falls, has long symbolised the close bond between town and gown. To have it [the pier] ready for this celebration adds a powerful layer of significance to the occasion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The reopening also marks a significant milestone for us and the wider community. The progress made since the storm damage occurred has been nothing short of remarkable.' The bulk of the repairs to date have been funded by a £360,000 grant from the Scottish Government Marine Directorate, as well as donations from several trusts and foundations, with nearly £20,000 coming from the university's students and alumni. Works were carried out by Lochgelly-based Realm Construction, part of the Purvis Group. However, the work is far from complete. Major engineering repairs to restore the pier's connection to the cliffs remain unfunded and will need an extra £2m. With major grant applications underway, it is thought that a funding gap of around £500,000 will remain. Mr Sweeney said: 'Essential repairs to the structure, especially to less visible, but equally critical areas, are still needed. So we are appealing to the public, individuals and businesses alike, to help bridge the remaining funding gap. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Their generosity to date has been extraordinary and, with continued support, we can finish what we've started and preserve this cherished landmark for years to come.' Donations can be made at The reopening of the pier in time for the historic torchlit procession was also welcomed b y students. Guy Nichols, Gaudie convenor, said: 'The Gaudie is an incredibly important date in the Kate Kennedy Club and wider student calendar and we are absolutely thrilled that our event will return to its former glory with the pier reopening. 'The pier and harbour area generally are so important to the student community, and it's fantastic to see the repairs progressing to this point. However, if pier walks are to continue for generations, we need to ensure that this beautiful part of Scotland remains protected from further storm damage, so we'll be doing all we can to encourage more donations to the repair fund as the year goes on.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Over the past year, the trust has received considerable funding from local organisations and trusts, including Iona Stephen, Charities Aid Foundation, The Hamish Foundation, Lodge St Andrews No 25 and St Andrews Ball. With £2m required to repair the north-west slip and pier landfall, a total of £18,700 was generated through online fundraising pages. An additional £15,000 was donated by St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation with £10,000 coming from The Kinburn Charitable Trust, St Andrews Heritage Fund and St Andrews Community Trust respectively.
The National
22-04-2025
- General
- The National
Historic Scottish pier to reopen after storm with torchlit procession
During the storms of November 2023, the 14th century structure at St Andrews Harbour suffered substantial damage to the tune of £3 million, sparking a major fundraising drive and months of repairs to the harbour area, which remain ongoing. With the seawall breach now restored and the walkways relaid, the main pier will reopen to the public from the morning of Thursday, May 1, following the annual Gaudie Procession the evening before. The torchlit procession and pier walk, organised by the Kate Kennedy Club, commemorates John Honey, a student who rescued members of the crew of the vessel Janet of Macduff in 1800. READ MORE: Donald Trump reveals when he expects to visit Scotland Every year, students, led by a piper, process by candlelight to the East Sands where they lay a wreath at the site of the shipwreck. After processing from Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews, the public are welcome to view the spectacle on the pier from around 7.30pm. The bulk of the repairs to date have been funded by a £360,000 grant from the Scottish Government Marine Directorate, allowing the seawall breach to be restored and the walkways to be relaid. Works were carried out by Lochgelly-based Realm Construction, part of the Purvis Group. Donations have also been provided by several trusts and foundations, with nearly £20,000 donated by the University of St Andrews student community (students and alumni). Major engineering repairs to restore the pier's connection to the cliffs remain unfunded, requiring approximately £2m. With major grant applications underway, it is thought that a funding gap of around £500,000 will remain. Ken Sweeney, chairman of St Andrews Harbour Trust said: 'After more than 16 months of closure, the reopening of the pier marks a significant milestone for both St Andrews Harbour Trust and the wider community. The progress made since the storm damage occurred has been nothing short of remarkable. 'Special recognition goes to Realm Construction, whose tradesmen have worked tirelessly, in all weathers and challenging conditions, to bring the pier back to life. Reopening the pier in time for the Gaudie Procession feels especially meaningful. "This beloved and iconic tradition, where students and townspeople gather as night falls, has long symbolised the close bond between town and gown. To have the pier ready for this celebration adds a powerful layer of significance to the occasion. 'However, our work is far from finished. Essential repairs to the structure, especially to less visible but equally critical areas, are still needed, so we are appealing to the public, individuals and businesses alike, to help bridge the remaining £500,000 funding gap. Their generosity to date has been extraordinary, and with continued support, we can finish what we've started and preserve this cherished landmark for years to come.'
