Aberdeen City - Aberdeen Voice

Letter From Aberdeen

Jun 172013

The Aberdeen Voice has received a letter from a Mr I. Aymin, a retired ostrich baron from the small town of Aberdeen in the Cambedoo Mountains in South Africa. As it is our stated policy to represent the people of Aberdeen regardless of race, creed, colour, religion or apparently, geography, we have decided (albeit with some misgivings) to publish his message as requested.

Hello, My fellow Aberdeensians!
Since retiring from the large poultry business following a severe head-kicking from a rogue bird, I have been taking a keen interest in the many ‘Aberdeens’ around the world (32 at last count).
As a form of remedial neurological therapy, I can heartily recommend it.

Thanks to our wonderful new internet service (admittedly intermittent), coupled with it’s (let us be truthful) unreliable translation software, I have become aware of your city’s gallant attempt to be named ‘City of Couture 2017’ and feel I should show my whole-hearted support for our sister city.

I have to admire this brave move on the part of your tribal elders since, having looked at street scenes of your Aberdeen, the majority of citizens seem to be dressed by Primark or JLM Sports. This, however, only serves to reinforce the respect I have for the people of Scotland.

Before my family moved here from Uganda my great-uncle President Idi often spoke of the time he spent in your beautiful land while receiving the military training he later put to such good use.

Indeed he so admired the pluck of a small country seeking independence that he offered himself to be crowned King of Scotland. (You missed a trick there, you Scotties, instead of resenting the English for all these years; you could have been eating them!).

I must apologise for that digression – my mind wanders, my head aches and I often find that I have been ‘napping’ unknowingly. That damned bird!

On refreshing my internet link I find that your fair city is hoping to be named ‘City of Cutlery 2017’.

I fear you will face stiff opposition from Sheffield! (I see the ostrich hoof coming at me in my dreams!)

Looking again at pictures of all the new and planned architecture of your city – the office buildings, hotels and shopping malls – I have little doubt that you will be successful and you shall indeed be named ‘City of Clutter 2017’.

- Best Wishes, I Aymin (rtd.)

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45p Per Musician – But A Wealth Of Talent

Aberdeen City, Events No Responses »

Jun 142013

Thursday June 20th sees the joining on stage of two of Scotland’s best acts! With thanks to Ruth Sawers.

Finding Albert, crowned 2012 best new Scottish band at the Scottish variety award, and last year’s runner up Amy Sawers will be appearing at Aberdeen’s exciting new venue, Downstairs, where the ethos is all about quality entertainment at an affordable price.

With support from the very talented Craig John Davidson this night is a special treat for Aberdeen’s live music lovers, and an admission charge of £5 – a mere 45p per musician – makes this an event not to be missed.

Finding Albert

In April 2012, Scottish 5-piece Finding Albert released their ‘Life & Times’ EP as a follow-up to their self-titled debut album released six-months earlier.

Even before release, the EP was already turning heads – recorded and produced entirely within the band, a process critical to their style and development (with assistance from Calvin Harris), before being mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London.

It rounded off a fantastic year for Finding Albert, which saw them grow out of obscurity to become regular festival performers, enjoying frequent radio play, and playing alongside some of the UK’s biggest acts.

A band that believes passionately in the translation from recording to live, they are known for their high-energy performances, whilst still retaining the musicianship and delicate (and frequently orchestral) arrangements that have won them so many followers.

The band won the coveted Herald/Clyde1′s ‘Best New Scottish Act’ at the Scottish Variety Awards in March 2013. In the same month, Finding Albert released their long-awaited second album “feints” – which they consider their best creative achievement to date. The band is currently touring the UK and Europe.

“If there’s any justice, this band will be selling out stadiums next year.”- A McCrae, BBC Radio1

“Destined for greatness…may just be Scotland’s best kept secret, but not for long.” – J Gellatly, The Sun

Amy Sawers

Recent recording at the Diving Bell Lounge, Glasgow (Snow Patrol, Frightened Rabbit) has borne fruit in the guise of ‘Laburnum‘, which Amy will shortly be touring.

Named runner up in Herald/Clyde1′s ‘Best New Scottish Act’ at the Scottish Variety Awards in March, things have been busy for this Amy and her band.

The early days saw Amy recording with Fat Hippy Records, releasing an EP and Mini-album (“Feather” and “So Called Love Stories…” respectively) to further acclaim amongst peers and professionals. These recordings ensured regular radio play on both Radio Scotland and Northsound Radio, and one track “Black Bones” even made it to the No.3 spot in the Australian Indie Radio Charts (Feb 2008).

“Beneath A Canvas Sky And A Cardboard Sea” (self-released) has seen the band taking even further strides into the public consciousness. One track, “Free Like The Sun” was chosen to feature in the cult Channel 4 series ‘Skins’ (series 3).

Her music also features on the soundtrack to the independent movie “Attack Of The Herbals”

Amy has shared stages with Alabama 3, Brakes, The Phantom Band, Dawn Of The Replicants, Eugene McGuiness, Ida Maria and even Girls Aloud (odd but true!), and hosting the main stage at Stonehaven’s new year celebrations.

Craig John Davidson

Craig John Davidson is well known within the Aberdeen music circles and has in the past self-released 3 albums:

Soaked In Harm (2008),
Curiosity (2009)
All In Song (2010).

Craig signed to Fat Hippy records with in January this year and released his fourth album, entitled ‘The Last Laugh’ on April 29.

“Davidson plays all of the sounds on the album apart from some strings on one song and it’s the rippling and intricate acoustic guitars which stand out from the off as Davidson wraps them in layers and swathes of sound” - Paul Kerr
http://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/craig-john-davidson-the-last-laugh-fat-hippy-records/

The night is also being put on by local events company seesaw events. For any further enquires please contact Ruth at seesawevents@live.co.uk or on 07858703467

Finding Albert,
Amy Sawers,
Craig John Davidson.

Downstairs @ The Malt Mill
Thurs 20th June
£5 Admission

Honorary Presidency For Celebrity Singer

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Jun 142013

With thanks to Claire McBain.

Aberdeen Lord Provost, George Adam, has officially inaugurated Scottish singer and producer Fiona Kennedy as Honorary President of VSA in recognition of 30 years of incredible enthusiasm, dedication and fundraising.
Fiona’s career has been diverse and includes singing, acting, public speaking and performing at international events, as well as producing the vibrant and hugely successful production The Kist.

Kenneth Simpson, chief executive at VSA, said:

“Fiona has given an enormous amount of support and done a tremendous amount of profile-raising for the charity. We’re so grateful and can’t wait for the next steps.

“Fiona has a long history with us, having been a Trustee, Convenor of the Carers Committee, Vice Chair and Chair of VSA Board. She has shown endless passion and tenacity, working hard for causes close to her heart.

“The team at VSA, past and present, are incredibly grateful for Fiona’s hard work in publicising and supporting campaigns, particularly for older peoples’ services Broomhill Park and Broomhill Activity Centre.”

On accepting the honour Fiona, who began her involvement when asked to accept a cheque on VSA’s behalf and has been an ambassador and an active fundraiser for the charity over the last 30 years, said:

“I’m completely thrilled and delighted to become VSA’s Honorary President.

“I love being part of the VSA family and will continue to do whatever I can to support the organisation. VSA is doing a brilliant job and I’m proud to be part of it.”

“I went to see the range of work VSA is involved with and was just so impressed. The work VSA continues to do is really inspiring.

“I felt this amazing organisation was not blowing its own trumpet enough, so I was very glad roll my sleeves up.

“My main priorities were to raise awareness and fundraise. What’s really impressive is the fact that 96p of every pound raised goes directly to charitable expenditure.”

A particular highlight for Fiona was spearheading and chairing the campaign for the £4million Broomhill Park, that she and her committee helped raise significant funds for, of which she went on to say:

“I’m never afraid to knock on doors to champion causes I believe in and was so delighted to attract supporters like Sir Alex Ferguson to help fundraise for the new Broomhill Park.”

Kenneth Simpson, chief executive at VSA, also presented local businessman James Stevenson with the title of Honorary Vice President at Tuesday’s event.

Making the presentation to James, Kenneth said:

“James too has done so much for VSA during his time as a Trustee, Vice Chair and Chair of the VSA board.

“He has terrific business expertise, which VSA values greatly and has given many years of extremely generous support.”

Going For A Song: Granite City Chorus In Concert

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Jun 142013

The Granite City Chorus are holding a concert at the Phoenix Centre, Newton Dee, Bieldside, on Saturday 22^nd June. Brian Welch writes.

The Granite City Chorus has been in existence since 1990, from an initial idea by Bob Stevens, our current Honorary President, a name is synonymous with its home city, although it began life as the Royal Mailers which reflected its Post Office origins.

And, just to confuse things further, its ‘Sunday name’ is The Aberdeen Barbershop Harmony Club.

Having come first in the Light Entertainment and Barbershop Chorus sections of the Aberdeen and North East Festival this month, the group can legitimately claim to be ‘the best male barbershop chorus in the North of Scotland’ and currently boasts a membership of just under fifty.

The singing style of the chorus is the four-part, unaccompanied, close harmony of tenor, lead (melody), baritone and bass voices combining to create the unique Barbershop Sound and, as a variety of song types can be arranged in the Barbershop style, its present repertoire covers a range of songs from traditional barbershop to Scottish and vintage pop standards.

The Club is one of over 50 which are members of the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) and is affiliated to the parent society, the Barbershop Harmony Society of America and to the UK choral organisation Making Music, previously known as the National Federation of Music Societies.

As the group is both a Social and Competitive chorus, the members sing for fun and the entertainment of others, but they also like to compete in annual barbershop conventions against many other choruses from around the UK and Europe.

The Chorus is also available for in the City and Shire corporate events, club functions, private parties and it regularly performs for local residential homes and sheltered accommodation and has a range and depth of material that can be adapted to deliver that 4^th dimension to any event

Anyone who wishes to join the Chorus – which practises every Tuesday night from 7 – 10 p.m. in the Woodside Church Hall, off King Street – wants to engage it for a function, or is just interested in getting further information about it, is invited to contact the Chorus Manager via the Contacts Page at www.granitecitychorus.co.uk

About the Barbershop Style

The notion of men singing together as a group is thought to have originated in the coffee shops of 17^th century England. But it was much later, towards the end of the 19th century that actual barbershop singing, where an individual would sing the melody which others would harmonise around as men waited to get their hair cut singing, was started in America.

This form continued, even in competition, until the 1930′s when written music in parts was introduced, although informal harmonising, otherwise known as ‘woodshedding’ is still practised today and has its own association.

About The Granite City Chorus’s concert on 22^nd June.

There will be four acts on the evening, including the Aberdeen debut of iQ, the 2012 gold medal quartet, it is iQ’s debut in Aberdeen which is not to be missed.

Tickets for the concert, which is being held at the Phoenix Centre, Newton Dee, Bieldside, at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday 22^nd June, are available from the Aberdeen Box Office.

The Granite City Chorus is directed by Colin Reid.

Further information can be obtained at:

Web site:                   www.granitecitychorus.co.uk
Mobile phone:         07909 108 633
Email Address         granitecitychorus@hotmail.co.uk
Facebook :               Granite City Chorus
Twitter:                      @granitecitychor

Many Voices, But We’re For Real

Aberdeen City, Featured, Information 3 Responses »

Jun 102013

On behalf of Aberdeen Voice, and in response to complaints from readers, Editor, Fred Wilkinson comments on the Labour Party’s latest election literature.

It’s flattering to see that our provision of a local news service has been a success in our three-year existence, to the extent that the Labour Party in Aberdeen has used the title “Aberdeen Voice” for its election communication to the electors of Aberdeen Donside.

We can see why some have raised their eyebrows at this, and wish to make it clear that we are non-partisan when it comes to political issues and will consider publishing material, whatever its political viewpoint as long as it conforms to the standards of decency and truth on which we’re based and which we’re proud to uphold.

The Labour Party’s communication is its business, not ours. We feel it unfortunate that they have chosen, carelessly, it seems, a title that has come to mean non-partisan and fair journalism to those who have been with us for our three years of publication.

We have nothing to do with this piece of election material and hope that our neutrality has not been compromised.

Thanks for sticking with us.

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Surfing The Don: A Touring Photography Exhibition

Aberdeen City, Events, Featured, Information No Responses »

Jun 102013

By Suzanne Kelly.

The life of the River Don corridor has been unveiled in a photography exhibition launched at St Machar Cathedral on Saturday 1 June.

It is the largest visual celebration of the area in recent times, the result of a group of Aberdeen photography enthusiasts who embarked on an exciting and dynamic community-led project to capture the past, present and future of the area.

Award-winning artist Alicia Bruce supported the group in selecting, editing and presenting the touring exhibition and the publication Surfing the Don.

Following the launch it will tour city venues, the Scottish Parliament and Europe.

Alicia said,

“I’m delighted to be working with talented photography enthusiasts a few footsteps from where I grew up. The River Don gets overshadowed by its sibling the Dee. It’s time the ‘Donny’ got a share of the spotlight.

“This project caught my imagination as I lost many hours looking at photographs on the SURF Aberdeen Facebook group seeing the places I went on childhood adventures. I can’t wait to see everyone’s faces light up as they see their work printed large scale for the first time. There is so much talent within our group and I’m certain some of these photographers will go on to bigger things.”

Aberdeen-born Alicia collaborated with a project team comprising local people from all walks of life, including postman Andy Coventry, Archaeologist Abeeer Eladany, her six year daughter old Nadine Ralston and photography graduate Blazej Marczak.

The images presented were taken on everything from professional cameras to camera phones. Project activities have involved regular collaborator meetings across the city, photo workshops, exhibition visits and online discussions.

Alicia added,

“It’s an iconic project for the River Don and we wanted to ensure we had a variety of iconic venues to showcase the work. St Machar Cathedral is the ideal venue to launch the exhibition. Its proximity to the river means visitors will view the images and, we hope, feel inspired to walk along the river.”

The exhibition is a community-initiated product of the Sustainable Urban Fringes (SURF) Aberdeen Project.

SURF Aberdeen is part of the Interreg IVB North Sea Region Programme, and is jointly funded by Aberdeen City Council and the European Regional Development Fund.

SURF brought people, organisations and ideas together to initiate a renewed focus to the River Don corridor.

Many of the community members met via the project’s Facebook page, where they had been posting their photographs and celebrating their enthusiasm for the river and surrounding areas.

Sinclair Laing, SURF Aberdeen project manager, said,

“The River Don corridor cuts a beautiful swathe of blue and green through north Aberdeen. This urban fringe plays an important role by providing urban breathing space for Aberdeen’s people and wildlife. It also hosts important cultural and built heritage and helps to support opportunities for sport, recreation, employment and education

“This community-led exhibition project will help raise the profile of this valuable, yet often overlooked, part of Aberdeen. This is a stunning exhibition and I offer my congratulations and thanks to Alicia and the rest of the exhibition participants for their initiative, hard work and creativity.”

Photographer Vicky Mitchell said,

“The exhibition means the chance to show off the beauty of the river and its importance to those who live in communities nearby. It also is giving me the opportunity to show my work to the people of Aberdeen. The project has been a great experience and full of lots of highlights such as working with some great people, securing some fantastic venues and spending even more time on the Don.”

Regular project contributors have been: Abeer Eladany, Alicia Bruce, Andy Coventry, Blazej Marczak, David Davidson, Darren Wright, Gregor McAbery, Katherine MacLean, Kirsty McAbery, Lynne Digby, Nadine Ralston, Sinclair Laing and Vicky Mitchell.

With additional exhibition contributors: Anita Welsh, Carrie-ann Holland, Craig Douglas, David Brazendale, Glenn Cooper, George Crighton, Ian Cairns, John Rutherford, Ken Dobbie, Mike Stephen, Nicola Youngson, Ruth Bone, Countryside Ranger Service, Susan Thoms, Stephen Bly and Hugh Mullady.

Tour dates

2 June – 6 July St Machar Cathedral – The iconic launch venue in the River Don Corridor.

7 July – 4 Aug Seventeen, Belmont Street – Supporting Aberdeen’s bid as UK City of Culture.

13 – 28 July Sir Duncan Rice Library, University of Aberdeen - Drawing parallels with Victorian wet-plate images by George Washington Wilson.

21 – 29 September Natural History Centre, University of Aberdeen – A touch and feel exhibition incorporating taxidermied examples of local wildlife.

September 2013 Regensburg, Germany – A cultural exchange made possible by Aberdeen Twinning.

Other venues to be confirmed include The Scottish Parliament and venues along the River Don corridor itself

Alicia Bruce is an award-winning Scottish photographer and educator. She studied photography at Aberdeen College and Edinburgh Napier University. Her work is a collaborative process with the communities she photographs, addressing social and political themes and issues. Alicia’s photographs are held in various private and public collections, including National Galleries of Scotland.

Her education work is rooted in participatory practice. She regularly teaches in communities, schools and further education settings teaching courses for Street Level Photoworks, City of Glasgow College, Stevenson College, eca, The Fruitmarket Gallery and The National Galleries of Scotland. She is Freelance Specialist Interest Rep on Engage Council.

Alicia is an experienced and established arts educator, lecturer, and community worker. Her recent Valleys Project about an ex-mining town in Wales is currently being exhibited at Diffusion, Cardiff International Photography Festival alongside the work of David Bailey, Philip Jones Griffiths and Jeremy Deller. Alicia’s photographs were recently celebrated by The Scottish Parliament in a Parliamentary Motion.

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Hidden Aberdeen: History On Your Doorstep And Underfoot

Aberdeen City, History 1 Response »

Jun 072013

David Innes reviews Dr Fiona-Jane Brown’s new book which is published this month.

This eagerly-awaited book has been trailed for quite a while, but at last Hidden Aberdeen is unveiled, in more ways than one.

First impressions are quite surprising.

Although written by an academic, Hidden Aberdeen is no wordy narrative; neither is it a history text. It’s not even published in portrait, all of which gives it a welcome air of informality.

The cover is attractive – plain white with colour thumbnail photos of several of the mysteries on which the author sheds light inside. It almost demands to be opened.

Dr Brown employs no stuffy language, neither does she let her explanations of each of the city’s historical and cultural features stretch to over 500 words. Call that a page and a half.

Yet, the economy of language deployed and the open writing style will give readers enough insight to the subjects featured to encourage them to find out more for themselves.

Further research is made easier by the provision of a detailed and comprehensive bibliography.

So, this is more a guidebook than an in-depth investigation into hidden Aberdeen, structured geographically to allow its users to walk easily and quickly between the city’s mysterious but often highly-visible landmarks.

Anyone working in the city centre, or Old Aberdeen, for example, will be able to explore more than one nearby attraction and still have time for a lunchtime snack.

It would spoil the fun of exploration to list here the features Dr Brown enthusiastically introduces.

An idle half hour’s stroll, with a copy of Hidden Aberdeen tucked into a handbag or pocket to discover the city’s little-known physical history, will be time well spent by anyone with a sense of heritage and civic pride.

As has been demonstrated in the past couple of years, there are many around who have passion enough for their city to want to fight to retain its character. For them, and for those just keen to broaden their knowledge, Hidden Aberdeen is an indispensable resource.

You can meet Dr Brown and have a copy of Hidden Aberdeen signed, at WH Smith, St. Nicholas Centre, at 13:00 on Saturday 8^th June, or at Waterstones, Union Bridge (Trinity Centre) at 18:30 on Tuesday 18^th June.

Hidden Aberdeen – History On Your Doorstep and Under Your Feet is published in hardback by Black and White Publishing and costs £9.99 from all good bookshops.

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Uni Students Campaign For £1 Billion For Global Fund

Aberdeen City, Featured, News No Responses »

Jun 062013

With thanks to Kubra Boza.

Students from the Stop AIDS Campaign Aberdeen were out on the street in city centre last Saturday to raise awareness of their twitter campaign which started on Thursday 6^th June.

Along with other Stop AIDS campaigners from across UK universities, they took pictures with the public holding up a giant #theworldiswatchingnow eyeball placard and encouraged them to tweet Justine Greening, the UK Secretary of State for International Development.

The campaign is to push the UK to increase their contribution to the global fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

The Global Fund is a transparent and innovative financing institution that provides funding to support programs that prevent, treat and care for people with HIV & AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria all over the world.

Currently the Global Fund needs to raise $15 billion to meet the needs for these devastating diseases for the next three years.

Azam Ismail, the president of Student Stop AIDS Aberdeen said:

“The USA has pledged to give $5 billion but only if the other countries give the remaining $10 billion.

“We realise that £1 billion is a big sum of money, but it is absolutely essential for the UK to step up their contributions in order to ensure that the USA keep their promise and the Global Fund can reach their target.

“We encourage everyone to join us in tweeting @JustineGreening on Thursday to let her know you care and that the world is watching now”

The Student Stop AIDS campaign advocates for global access to HIV medication, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths.

It is a network of over 30 student societies all of which are a part of a national Stop AIDS Campaign, a coalition of over 60 UK NGOs and trade unions.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abdnStopAIDS
Twitter: @StopAIDSAbdn

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Mahmoud Sarsak To Speak At City SPSC Meeting 07.06.13

Aberdeen City, Featured, News No Responses »

Jun 052013

With thanks to Stuart Maltman, Secretary, Aberdeen SPSC.

Mahmoud Sarsak is to speak at a meeting of Aberdeen Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) At the Quaker Meeting House on Friday

Mahmoud Sarsak was a member of the Palestinian national football team who was seized by Israeli troops, held without charge and tortured over many weeks in Israel’s notorious prison system.

After three years, i.e. six ‘democratic and lawful’ periods of six months imprisonment without trial or charge, Mahmoud went on hunger strike to demand that he be given prisoner-of-war status since he was being detained under Israel’s Unlawful Combatants Law.

He refused to accept exile to Norway as a condition for his release and, near death at half his usual body weight, Israel released him unconditionally.

Aberdeen SPSC will be hosting Mahmoud at the Quaker Meeting House where he will be raising awareness of Israeli’s war against Palestinian football, the torture and abuse of Palestinian prisoners in Israel’s gulag, and the role of multi-national G4S in running parts of Israel’s illegal programme.

He will also be raising the cases of two players of the Palestinian national football team, Omar Abu Rouis and Mohammed Nemer who have been imprisoned for over a year now in Israel’s dungeons without any trial or charges being levelled against them.

Mahmoud Sarsak Speaking Event
7.30pm, June 7th
Quaker Meeting House,
98 Crown Street,
Aberdeen

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Donside By-election: Youth Councillors Spread The Word

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Jun 032013

With thanks to Kenneth Watt.

Two senior youth councillors took part in a Donside tour, handing out leaflets to every secondary school, community centre and library in the constituency ahead of the group’s hustings on Thursday 6th June.

Struan King (Vice-chair, pictured) and Kenneth Watt (Press Officer) visited over 25 venues distributing 1500 leaflets.

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons the youth council will be leafleting young people outside Marks and Spencers, with a further 1000 leaflets ready to be handed out.

The hustings on Thursday 6th June is the only one to feature all five candidates from parties with representation at Holyrood which is open to the public. A free ticket is required and can be downloaded from http://donside.eventbrite.com. People of all ages are invited, with half of all tickets guaranteed for young Donside electors.

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