Kate Kennedy Centenary

Guest speakers were Martin Passmore and Will Press who gave a presentation about the history of the Kate Kennedy Spring Procession and the events planned to celebrate its Centenary. Martin drew from his recently published book 100 Years of Treasures to give a summary of the history of the Procession, which can trace its roots back to ancient pagan and Christian Spring rites. According to local legend, Lady Katharine – the beautiful niece of Bishop James Kennedy – visited St Andrews one Spring. She allegedly made such an impression that a festival emerged in her honour and became Kate Kennedy’s Day. By the nineteenth century, however, this event had become increasingly rowdy and in March 1881, five particularly disorderly students were ‘rusticated’ (Google it if you’re not sure) and the University authorities banned the Procession. Fast forward to 1926 when students Donald Kennedy and James Doak appealed to the then Principal Sir James Irvine to revive it. They proposed the Procession focused on the story of the town of St Andrews, and that the community should be placed at the heart of the festivities. The Principal agreed, and on 5 March 1926 a new tradition began.  Since then, the Procession has gone from strength to strength, with Martin himself appearing as Kate in 1976! Will Press, this year’s President, went on to describe how the Kate Kennedy Club has evolved during the past 100 years. Two key milestones have been the admission of women in 2012 and the Club’s incorporation as a registered charity in 2024. All the Club’s activities are undertaken with three aims in mind: to maintain the traditions of the University and town; to uphold and improve town and gown relations; to raise money for local charities such as the Cosmos, Families First and the Storehouse. To celebrate its Centenary in 2026, the Kate Kennedy Club and its alumni Life Members are planning a series of major events between 16 and 19 April – including a community ceilidh in the world-famous Spiegeltent! They have generously given St Andrews Rotary free use of this Spiegeltent on 21 April to stage the KT Tunstall Kommunity Kabaret. This event – featuring music from six local groups – will raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) and will end with a specially produced video performance from KT Tunstall herself. To find out more about the Kate Kennedy Club and these exciting events visit the website:

https://www.katekennedyclub.org.uk/100th-anniversary-events