A century of tradition and change: the evolution of the Kate Kennedy Club
Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the Kate Kennedy Procession – an annual event that brings the rich history of St Andrews to life. This unique tradition has been interrupted only by World War II and the Covid-19 pandemic. Emma Andersson (BSc 2025), the first female President of the Kate Kennedy Club, looks ahead to this milestone and reflects on how much the Club has changed during the past century.
In 1926, J.M. Barrie’s Rectoral Address on ‘Courage’ inspired James Doak and Donald Kennedy to organise the first ever Kate Kennedy Procession. So began the Kate Kennedy Club, and ever since its inception it has had three aims: to support local Fife charities, to preserve the history of St Andrews and to enhance Town and Gown relations. The Club has evolved continuously over the years so it can better uphold these aims.
One of the most significant changes within the Club has been the diversification of its membership. Starting out as an all-male organisation, the Club welcomed women in 2012, and now almost half of our members are female. In 2022 Tatiana Mouravieff-Apostol became the first female Marshal of the Procession, and I am honoured to be writing this having served as the first female President (2024-2025) of this unique organisation. We believe that the more diverse our members, the greater our potential, and the better we can uphold our aims.
The Club in the community
Another important step the Club took was to become a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). In December 2024, it solidified its structure as a student organisation by incorporating as a registered charity (No: SC053839). This change will ensure the sustainability of the Club’s activities and enable members to uphold our three aims with greater accountability.
In addition to these wider structural developments, the Club has also accomplished significant improvements within each of its three primary objectives.
The Club’s commitment to supporting local charities has evolved from fundraising through College Echoes sales to sustaining the Kate Kennedy Music Scholarship and supporting the Hebdomadar’s Music Fund. Beyond organising the two annual balls to raise money for local charities, members are building long-lasting, meaningful relationships with these important organisations and contributing through direct action. For instance, we volunteer at the after-school club at the Cosmos Community Centre every weekday and participate in initiatives like the Poppy Appeal.
The Club’s efforts to preserve the history of St Andrews and foster Town and Gown relations have also grown and developed. The Procession itself, which started out with 40 participants, has expanded to commemorate over 150 historical figures connected to St Andrews, including – to give just two examples – Mary Queen of Scots and Benjamin Franklin.
Building on this tradition, I was proud to help organise the Club’s first exhibition in 2023 called ‘Women of St Andrews’, which featured five inspiring women who each made their own mark on St Andrews’ (and on global) history. Energised by this success, we then organised a ‘Citizens of St Andrews’ themed exhibition at the public library in Autumn 2024, and the hope is to make this an annual event.
The centenary year
The Club’s ambition to unite and inspire the St Andrews community through the town’s rich history will also underpin the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Kate Kennedy Procession. There are plans for a community ceilidh, a children’s activity day and much more. All will be very welcome to join us in these celebrations from Thursday 16 April through to Sunday 19 April 2026.
Let us draw inspiration from our shared past as we work together to build a better future.
As I graduate, I look back with deep gratitude on my time in St Andrews. In the year ahead, I plan to improve my Spanish, French, and German before beginning a career in consulting to continue developing my skills. In the long term, I hope to use both what I’ve learned here and what lies ahead to contribute to positive change in the world. Just as we draw inspiration from our shared past, I aim to carry that spirit forward into whatever comes next.
Great job, Emma ! Another St Andrews milestone, this time with your name forever associated. It was a great pleasure to spend time with you this academic year and make our portraits together.