A long association

Kenneth Baxter has supplied the photograph on the right and says: “This photograph shows Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother inspecting the architectural model of the new building for the University Library in October 1986. Principal Adam Neville can be seen on the left of the photograph, while Lord Provost Mitchell is on the Queen Mother’s right.

“The Queen Mother had a long association with the University of Dundee and its predecessors and, in 1967, became the first chancellor of the university. Though she retired from the post in 1977, she retained a strong interest in the university’s activities.

“After being shown the model and the construction site, she laid the foundation stone of the new building. It was to replace the facilities in the Tower Building which had previously housed the University Library.

“A new library building had been mooted for several years and, in 1972, the university announced that a new library was to be built. However, changes in government policy meant this plan had to be shelved. The new library opened in 1988, and has since been considerably expanded.”

“The Evenie Water Curling Club’s Ovenstone Trophy was gifted by Philip Ovenstone in 1942. Mr Ovenstone, a plasterer to trade, was proprietor of the Star Hotel, Friockheim, from 1936-44.

“In his youth, he was goalkeeper for various Dundee football teams and a member of Our Boys Football and Sports

Club. He excelled at athletics and was club champion in 1885, receiving an inscribed writing desk gifted by Bailie Hunter, honorary president of the club.

“Following Mr Ovenstone’s retiral, the desk remained at the Star Hotel before being passed down the Jarrett family to Ed Jarrett, a long-time resident.

“Mr Jarrett eventually sold the desk to a dealer on Perth Road, Dundee, and wonders if it is still around, as it was a lovely, wellmade piece. No apparent Ovenstone family connection was found during the research.”

Ian Craig about the ‘device’ near Oathlaw, I would suggest it might be a stationary winch engine for drawing a plough.

“At the other end of the field there would have been a traction engine which would have towed this one into position.

“Your agricultural correspondent, Peter Small, should have more information for you on this!”

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother inspecting the architectural model of the new building for the University Library in October 1986. Read more at the top of the left-hand column. Picture: University of Dundee Archive Services.

To remind us that we did actually see a glimpse of spring, Eric Niven of Dundee has sent in this view across the Tay. It was taken at Rickard’s Point, Newport.