Still Going - Flora Selwyn

St Andrews in Focus publisher and editor Flora Selwyn gave an illustrated talk on the magazine to Kilrymont Rotarians.

Flora first came to St Andrews as a student in 1953 and graduated four years later with a MA Hons in French language and literature.

Over 30 years later she returned to the town following the loss of her husband. After retiring from teaching and spending five years with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Flora, without any journalistic training, launched the magazine St Andrews in Focus.

Her aims were three-fold, to reinforce a sense of community, boost business in the town and bolster the town and gown relationship.

The first edition was published in November 2003 and she received tremendous feedback from people saying “don’t stop.”

Flora said she still gets dozens of emails after each edition with supportive comments.

The publication went from strength to strength receiving a highly commended accolade in the Scottish Magazine Awards of 2005. It also was a 2019 Community Magazine of the Year finalist.

Flora has received personal awards from St Andrews Rotary, the Preservation Trust and the Burns club.

Flora said around 7000 copies are printed with editions archived with the Library of Scotland and the British Library.

The magazine has also published special supplements including Food in Focus.

Flora was instrumental in the campaign to have a statue erected to celebrity cat Hamish McHamish. She said it brought people together and she ran a successful Hamish portrait painting competition for local schools.

Flora has used the magazine for lobbying purposes in her bid to have an electric park and ride scheme for the town.

She praised the help she has received from the University printing department staff, and thanked all the regular contributors adding that all the university principals have contributed articles to the magazine.

But the most rewarding articles are those about the townspeople who make St Andrews a great place to stay and visit. Also, from some of the articles people have rediscovered old acquaintances.

St Andrews in Focus celebrated its 100th edition in May 2020 but then Covid hit and advertising revenues dried up. But with the help of one of her sons, two summer issues were produced digitally. The latest edition came out this week in print.

Angus Peters proposed a vote of thanks for the amazing endeavours of one of St Andrews’ special citizens.