Aberdeen City Archives - Page 52 of 206

ACSHA On Track To Hit Fundraising Target

Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire No Responses »

Jan 282016

With thanks to Eoin Smith, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR

A group of Aberdeen hoteliers has been working tirelessly to raise funds for a leading dementia charity, and is set to reach a five figure fundraising goal. Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association (ACSHA) has raised over £13,000 for Alzheimer Scotland so far, and is confident that it will increase this to £20,000 by its AGM in April.

As part of its fundraising effort, ACSHA recently auctioned a bottle of Pol Roger Vintage Cap 1943 champagne for an impressive £800.

The prize, which also included a meal at Ardoe House Hotel & Spa and a bottle of White Label Pol Roger, was won by Calum Richardson, who runs The Bay Fish & Chips, Stonehaven. After placing the winning bid, Mr Richardson offered an additional lot comprising of outside catering which raised an additional £1,000.

Mariner Hotel owner Mike Edwards, who donated the champagne, is spearheading ACSHA’s fundraising effort, and believes the organisation is well on its way to reaching its target. He says,

“It’s incredibly heart-warming to see so many hoteliers working together to raise funds for a cause as worthwhile as dementia care and research.

“We are delighted to have raised so much money from auctioning the champagne, and hope to continue in a similar vein as we push closer to our £20,000 target over the next few months.

“I hope that Calum enjoys the champagne, and that he celebrated his winning bid in suitable style – with fizz and chips!”

ACSHA will continue its fundraising efforts over the coming months, starting with a 24 hour endurance relay on static bikes which will take place in a number of hotels across the region. The organisation has also partnered with the Deeside Brewery to create a specially labelled lager which will be sold in local hotels with all profits going to Alzheimer Scotland.

Alzheimer Scotland is ACSHA’s nominated charity for 2015/16, and it is hoped that the money raised will go some way to funding its operations in the north east, including a newly opened resource centre in Aberdeen city centre. In addition to monetary donations, a number of ACSHA members have joined the Dementia Friends initiative, which seeks to make all venues more welcoming and hospitable for those with dementia and their carers.

Mr Edwards’ father, David, was once a familiar face in the hospitality trade in Aberdeen, and was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2008 at the age of just 59. There are currently around 90,000 people across Scotland diagnosed with dementia, including around 3,500 under the age of 65. In Aberdeen alone there are almost 300 people living with dementia under the age of 65.

Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association represents 49 independently operated hotels and conference venues, along with a further nine associate members. These hotels provide around 4,500 bedrooms in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. ACSHA is committed to improving the quality and standard of hotel services and to furthering the overall standards of excellence and hospitality within the region.

To make a donation to ACSHA’s fundraising pot for Alzheimer Scotland, visit www.justgiving.com/ACSHA

For more information about Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association, visit www.aberdeenhotels.org

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Play Me, I’m Yours Aberdeen

Aberdeen City, Featured No Responses »

Jan 282016

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix.

Music could be found in unexpected places in Aberdeen later this year thanks to a leading business organisation.
Aberdeen Inspired is spearheading plans to bring a popular street pianos project, which has been touring cities globally since 2008, to the Granite City.

The Play Me, I’m Yours initiative is the brainchild of British artist Luke Jerram and has reached more than 10 million people worldwide.

From New York to London, over 1,500 pianos have been installed in 50 cities across the globe, all bearing the message “Play Me, I’m Yours”.

Aberdeen Inspired will bring the global phenomenon to life in the city centre if voted through for another five-year term. A renewal ballot will open on February 04 and will run until March 17, with city centre businesses with a rateable value above £27,500 invited to vote on whether the organisation continues to deliver city wide benefits and improvements.

The exhibition will consist of a minimum of 10 pianos, which will be brightened up and imaginatively decorated by students at the North East Scotland College. They will then be placed in a range of prominent city centre locations available for anyone to tinkle the ivories for two to three weeks. The project aims to encourage people to engage with their city by providing a resource for the public to express themselves and interact with each other.

Gary Craig, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said:

“The Play Me, I’m Yours project is a fantastic one which has achieved worldwide recognition and one we are hoping to bring to Aberdeen. The level of engagement it has brought amongst people in other cities is incredible and something we wish to replicate here.

“It is about bringing the Aberdeen community together through music and is a great way to utilise and brighten up spaces in the city centre for residents and visitors, with an open invitation for anyone to enjoy them and try their hand at playing something.

“This is a project everyone at Aberdeen Inspired is very passionate about and hope to bring to life for the people of the Granite City. We are asking anyone with an old piano they are willing to donate to get in touch with us and if we are voted through for another term, we will make Play Me, I’m Yours a reality.”

“In the meantime, we are looking for organisations to host the pianos during their display, covering them if it rains and taking them inside at night, so if your business is interested in this please let us know.”

At the end of the street pianos event in Aberdeen, a number of the pianos will be auctioned off. All proceeds will go to local city centre charities; Grampian Society for the Blind, British Heart Foundation, Barnardo’s, Befriend a Child and Cancer Research UK.

Aberdeen Inspired is appealing to anyone in the Aberdeen area who is willing to donate an old but still playable upright piano in relatively good condition to email info@aberdeeninspired.com. If successful in the renewal ballot, the organisation will get in touch soon afterwards to test suitability and arrange uplift. Gordon Bell of Gordon Bell Pianos has offered his expertise in examining the pianos and tuning them if needed.

Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the Aberdeen BID (Business Improvement District) operates. It is a business-led initiative within the city centre in which levy payers within the BID zone contribute. Proceeds are used to fund projects designed to improve the business district. Further information on the work of Aberdeen Inspired is available at www.aberdeeninspired.com

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Mental Health Charity Forges Unique Relationship

Aberdeen City, Featured, Information No Responses »

Jan 282016

Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA) has forged a link with an innovative charity which offers a therapeutic animal service. With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix.

The leading north-east charity recently visited The Owl and The Pussycat Centre in Maud, which gives people the chance to have a positive experience with birds of prey, including the owl stars of Harry Potter, Eral and
Hedwig.

Service users in MHA’s Companions Befriending Service and their companions had a magical time on the visit, which was used as an opportunity to get out and about in the community, have fun and build relationships with peers.

Flora Todd, manager of MHA Companions Befriending, is currently looking for volunteers to take on a befriending role within the charity.

She said:

“Our service users and their companions thoroughly enjoyed themselves at The Owl and The Pussycat Centre, and we would like to thank everyone there for making us so welcome. We would love to repeat visits like this as they are so beneficial in helping our service users combat feelings of isolation and embrace day to day life. Interaction with animals and birds is a great tool for improving a person’s wellbeing.

“Companionship can make an incredible difference to a person’s wellbeing and it was fantastic to see our befrienders and service users interacting with the owls and having such a good time. We are currently on the look-out for volunteers to join our pool of befrienders in Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Banff, Turriff and surrounding rural areas. It is a fantastically rewarding role to take on and while it has its challenges, the transformation it can bring about to someone’s life is incredible.

“Volunteers befrienders can help in so many different ways, from going out for coffee, helping build their self-confidence and learning new skills to attending local activities such as exercise classes and arts or cultural groups. They are also very much a listening ear. We would urge anyone interested to get in touch with us and find out more about becoming a befriender.”

A committed network of befriending volunteers has served the north-east through MHA for a number of years but the charity is working to expand the service.

Full training is provided to all volunteers, who must be aged 18 and over, and the charity has an experienced team leading the programme. All out of pocket expenses are reimbursed and the next induction training course will begin in February.

MHA was founded in 1950 and provides support services, counselling and advice to people affected by challenges related to mental health and wellbeing. Services are available for children from the age of 12 and adults. The organisation was among the first to provide community care – with its first residential project, a group home for discharged psychiatric patients, opened more than 35 years ago. MHA has also been providing day services continuously for over 60 years.

For more information on the befriending scheme and volunteering opportunities contact Flora Todd on 01779 470122 or visit www.mha.uk.net.

For more information on The Owl and Pussycat Centre visit www.owlandpussycatcentre.co.uk

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North East MSP Continues To Support To Local Shops

Aberdeen City, Opinion No Responses »

Jan 212016

With thanks to Sarah Masson.

Independent retailers have welcomed the support shown for their industry from Christian Allard, MSP. The North East MSP attended Scottish Grocers’ Federation’s event at the Scottish Parliament to coincide with the publication of their Scottish Local Shop Report 2015.

The report highlights the value of local independent convenience stores to communities with 87% of retailers currently involved in community activities.

The report also illustrates that there are more convenience stores per head of population in Scotland than there are in the rest of the UK and that convenience stores provide over 44,000 jobs, including valuable services such as post offices, bill payment services and ATMs.

The SNP MSP has always backed local businesses – acknowledging their importance to local economies throughout Scotland today. The North East MSP has praised the community value of local shops, recognising that they support local producers as:

“they make Scottish products accessible for everyone buy, eat and trust local.”

Scottish Grocers’ Federation Chief Executive Pete Cheema said,

“We were delighted that Christian Allard was able to join us at our event. The support of MSPs is vital in ensuring a prosperous and sustainable independent convenience store industry in Scotland.”

Commenting Christian Allard said:

“It is important that we recognise and support local businesses in our communities especially because local shops tend to be resilient to economic changes.

“Local stores are a large part of what our communities are made up of and this report provides the evidence that clearly shows the community value of local convenience stores in Scotland.

“The report crucially looks at the active role that local stores play in both urban and rural communities. They are constantly evolving and changing to meet the many needs of the people they serve. The independent corner shop is as much a part of the past and present as it is the future.”

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[Aberdeen Voice accepts and welcomes contributions from all sides/angles pertaining to any issue. Views and opinions expressed in any article are entirely those of the writer/contributor, and inclusion in our publication does not constitute support or endorsement of these by Aberdeen Voice as an organisation or any of its team members.]

Petitioner Responds To Trump Debate

Aberdeen City, Featured, News 4 Responses »

Jan 202016

With thanks to Suzanne Kelly.

Suzanne Kelly fights her way through the hordes.

Trump Ban Petitioner, Suzanne Kelly.

Suzanne Kelly launched the petition requesting that Donald Trump be banned from the UK for his hate speech, as so many others have before. An unprecedented number of signatures – 570,000 – triggered the Westminster debate.

The debate took place on Monday 18 January, which also happened to be Martin Luther King Day.

Suzanne said afterwards:

“It was a pleasure to see so many of the speakers condemn Mr. Trump and his hate speech. Some of those who spoke helpfully referred to the cases in the United States where people have committed violent acts or intended to, where Donald Trump’s speech had been the clear source of inspiration.”

“Teresa May still has it in her power to put the ban on Donald Trump; The Public Order Act 1986 has been used to ban over 80 people so far, and to me Mr. Trump’s words put him squarely in that category in my opinion, and in the opinions of some of the MPs.”

“It was surprising and disappointing to see that MP Paul Flynn, tasked with introducing the debate, decided to go to the media in advance of the debate and announce he was against the ban. I found that unethical, even though Flynn and the Petitions Committee apparently have no issue with it. I believe this sent a message to his party members and others to follow suit.

“Moreover, if the member of the Petitions Committee charged with introducing my petition and my points did not support them, how robust a job could he be expected to do? Initially Flynn told me not to contact him when I wrote to him with the details of the arguments in favour of the ban. He did not believe he should communicate with me because of his role on the committee. The Petitions Committee disagreed with him.

“What I found improper was his comments against any ban coming less than 24 hours before the debate. He hadn’t done me the basic courtesy of letting me know he was speaking out about the petition in advance. Therefore I lost an opportunity to counter him. Flynn’s amazingly idealistic concept of convincing Trump that multiculturalism works by taking Trump out to meet people is ridiculous.

“If Flynn has that little handle on Trump’s make-up, then he was not the person to lead the discussions. While he made some of my points, I hardly thought his presentation looked or sounded robust. Perhaps the Petitions Committee might reconsider how a petition is introduced in future.

“Flynn’s position was also that to ban Trump might potentially advantage him / make him seem a ‘martyr’ to some of his followers. I would have thought upholding British law would have come first to an MP. However it seems that second-guessing any potential outcomes of applying the law of the land overrides any duty to uphold the law for some.

“Thankfully some speakers were aware of the difference between hate speech and free speech. There were excellent points made by those who supported the petition. Others chose, somewhat disingenuously I thought, to decide that the requested ban on Trump was somehow an assault on Freedom of Speech. I wonder where those impassioned speakers were when it came to the 80+ people the UK has previously banned, and if they will now seek to overturn the historic bans against hate preachers.

“Some MPs seemed to fear that banning Trump was an attack on the US / that we should not meddle in US politics. How they came to the conclusion that this matter of UK law was less important than taking a stand against hate speech would be interesting to hear.

“However, virtually everyone who spoke had the harshest of words for Trump. ‘Buffoon’ seemed the word of the hour. It was good to see that there is a widespread condemnation of Trump’s policies.

“Sarah Malone-Bates, Trump’s spokesperson issued a statement which was to me feeble as well as hypocritical. She bemoaned the cost of this exercise to taxpayers, saying we were wasting valuable Parliamentary time. Perhaps it’s a case of amnesia or ignorance, but with her employer dragging the Scottish taxpayer through every court in the land in his selfish desire to scupper an important offshore wind farm project, I think Malone-Bates would find that Trump has cost far more money and time than the debate did.

I think the desire of 570,000 people to have the debate is just a bit more important than Trump costing Aberdeenshire money, time, clean energy and work in the clean energy sector. She’s claimed that ‘hundreds of millions of pounds’ are being ‘pumped’ by Trump into the Scottish economy.

“I’ve asked for sight of the proof of this wild claim; it’s not forthcoming, nor is a response to my request to have a live debate with her on the issues, which still stands.”

“I would like to thank the Petitions Committee administrators, who were very helpful throughout. Thanks too to the media for their interest and support. Thanks to Aberdeen Voice especially Fred Wilkinson, editor, and Julie Thompson who has worked on a number of stories with me. Gratitude goes to the MPs who understood the law and the purpose of the petition and who spoke eloquently; gratitude to those MPs opposed who nevertheless in some cases made useful comments.

“Finally, thanks very much to the people who took the time to sign this petition.

“Sometimes the system works. I see this petition and the debate as huge victories. Trump has lost his Global Scot status, his business is apparently no longer wanted in much of the Middle East; his honorary degree from Robert Gordon University was withdrawn, and Trump branded goods are being axed from shops. If this is a defeat for me, I’ll live with it.”

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Christmas Village Hailed A Success By Organisers

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Jan 142016

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix.

The world's largest mobile thrill ride, Bomber Mac 2, reaches speads of up to 60 miles and hour at 55 metres tall at The Hoppings, Newcastle's legendary fair on the Town Moor. PHOTOGRAPH: Dirk van der Werff / AQphotos.com

Standing at 50m high, one of the biggest thrill rides in Europe, ‘the Bomber’ was a focal attraction at Aberdeen’s Christmas Village.

Organisers have hailed the Aberdeen Christmas Village a success after more than half a million people enjoyed the spectacular attraction. Spearheaded by Aberdeen Inspired in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and Codona’s, the winter wonderland proved incredibly popular, attracting 515,972 people throughout the festive period. The village was open for a total of 37 days.

The organisation’s aim was to create an attraction bigger and better than Aberdeen has ever had before and they are thrilled by the high number of visitors to the village.

They also unveiled the world renowned art installation Intrude, which consisted of large illuminated rabbits at Union Terrace Gardens in December, adding an extra dimension to the crowd pleasing attractions.

The first term of Aberdeen Inspired, the banner under which the BID has operated since 2012, is now drawing to a close and the organisation hopes to use the positive response to the village as a springboard for future projects if it achieves renewal ballot success.

Between February 4 and March 17 levy-payers will vote in a re-ballot to determine whether or not the business-led initiative within the city centre returns for another five-year term.

Gary Craig, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said:

“We were absolutely delighted with the public’s response to the Aberdeen Christmas Village, which was way beyond our expectations and proves there is appetite for events on this scale in the Granite City.

“The footfall figures for the village are incredible, with over half a million people enjoying everything it had to offer. It was fantastic to see everyone get into the festive spirit in the heart of the city centre and we are determined to carry this positive momentum forward as we continue preparations for our renewal ballot.”

Aberdeen City Council Deputy Leader Councillor Marie Boulton said:

“2015 was Aberdeen’s biggest winter festival and the Christmas Village helped to make it a huge success. We would like to thank everyone who visited and enjoyed the Village, the stallholders, musicians and comedians for their contribution and our staff and partners for all their hard work.”

Gary Craig added:

“In order to build on initiatives like the Aberdeen Christmas Village we need the support of our levy players in the upcoming ballot. As a close knit team we are dedicated to the work we deliver throughout the city centre and we know that passion for Aberdeen is mirrored by our electorate – the businesses we represent.

“Our hard-working and talented team wants to continue to bring forward projects to enhance the city centre and are hugely excited about our current project plans. Our ultimate aim is to drive footfall and improve the area for our members, with the Christmas Village a great example of that.”

Proceeds are used to fund projects designed to improve the business district. Further information on the work of Aberdeen Inspired is available at www.aberdeeninspired.com

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Trump Ban Petitioner Sums Up And Calls Out Opponents

Aberdeen City, News 6 Responses »

Jan 142016

Suzanne Kelly, the woman behind the petition to the UK government to ban Trump, has released a summary statement supporting the requested ban. Her petition asks that Donald Trump be banned from the UK for hate speech, as has happened to some 80 people previously.

The petition will be debated on 18th January, along with a counter-petition. Kelly wants to ensure that everyone is aware of all the details.

The actual petition is limited to only a certain number of words by the Petitions Committee. Kelly understands the need for this, but is keen to get further details widely known before the debate.

Kelly is calling David Gladwin out, asking him to debate his pro-Trump petition with her prior to the Parliamentary debate. His petition reads:

“There are proposals to ban Donald Trump from the United Kingdom. At least, there’s a petition on the topic. This is totally illogical.”

Kelly says:

“I’ve no idea who David Gladwin is, but I asked the UK Petitions Committee to ask him to get in touch. If his only argument is that the petition I started, signed now by an unprecedented 570,000 people, is ‘totally illogical’, let’s get him to say why. I also understood that a large number of his petition’s signatures were discounted, and I would like to know what he says about that, too.

“Trump’s hate speech has visible, violent outcomes in America. A homeless Hispanic man was badly beaten in Boston; those who were arrested said words to the effect ‘Donald Trump is right, we have too many immigrants.’ William Celli is accused of trying to make pipe bombs and attack Muslims; he is a Trump supporter who said he would follow Trump ‘to the end of the world.’

“I am particularly worried by Trump’s statement that relatives of terrorists should be ‘taken out’. He says nothing of trial, due process – he just calls for taking people out. Is this an incitement to violence? I believe so. It is as dangerous as his call – made after my petition went live – to ban all Muslims from ENTERING the USA. The US has between 3 to 7 million Muslim citizens.

“He has lumped every follower of this religion into a group he wants to monitor and control, and in so doing tars peaceful people with the same brush as the dangerous terrorist fanatic, I of course condemn terrorism. This is hate speech. This is not free speech. Free speech carries responsibilities; Mr Trump seems completely unaware of this.

“The UK Government now has 570,000 people wanting this ban. They have evidence that Trump’s words have caused injury. They also have the unprecedented condemnation of Trump’s Islamophobic statements by no less than the US Secretary of State and top Pentagon officials. We must ban him. I see no reason to treat a billionaire differently than we have treated those we have already banned.

“I would also suggest that people should go back and look at the Panorama programme ‘The Trouble with Trump.’ The BBC’s investigations certainly seemed to link Donald Trump to an American underworld figure. Trump’s position as I recall was that he couldn’t always know who he was doing deals with. This adds to the ever-growing list of reasons I hope that America will not make him its next president.”

“David Gladwin – or any Trump spokesperson, particularly local Sarah Malone-Bates at the Trump Menie Estate course, I challenge you to a debate before this petition. Let’s hear your views on Trump’s ‘freedom’ to ban travel based on religion, to ‘take people out’ for being related to terrorists (does this apply to William Celli’s family I wonder?) and his ‘freedom’ to continuously, unrepentantly insult people based on race, religion or sex. I really cannot wait to hear your defence of the man.”

Kelly has received a threat – someone wrote to Aberdeen Voice where she is a contributing writer, suggesting she should never leave the UK again as people want to get their hands on her – and that she could be put to work in a cotton field. Of the reaction to the petition Kelly says:

“I started this petition for my neighbours who were targets because of their religion and national origins, for my friends who were insulted because of their race, and my sisters, denigrated for being women. The huge number of signatures signals to me that people are weary of speech designed to drive wedges through communities. There have been far more kind words than threats.

“Donald Trump was stripped of his honorary degree at Robert Gordon University following a petition I started; their values did not match his. On the occasion of losing this degree, Trump said words to the effect he will be a ‘smart and strong’ president. I personally feel that the man has confused ‘smart and strong’ with manipulative and brutishly bullying.”

Kelly has asked Aberdeenshire Council and the Trump International Golf Links Scotland to fix all outstanding planning breaches. This includes removing a giant bund of earth near Leyton Farm Cottage where it blocks the former views to the sea, Kelly finds it ironic that an organisation that wants to stop an offshore clean energy wind project for its visual impact would treat its neighbour in such a manner.

The bund now seems strongly implicated in the flood damage to the road and area by the cottage. Kelly also asked for immediate restoration of fishing access for farmer Michael Forbes. In the BBC Panorama programme ‘the Trouble with Trump’ Donald Trump Jr mocks Forbes for not fishing – his access to fish had long since been blocked by the Trump organisation.

Kelly expects a reply from the council on 13th January. The Trump organisation has refused to reply to date, or take requested remedial actions.

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Your Wedding Exhibition (YWE) Returns To AECC

Aberdeen City, Featured No Responses »

Jan 072016

With thanks to Jack Milner.

Happy couples are being urged to take the plunge before it’s too late if they hope to secure a ticket to the North-east’s leading wedding exhibition. Your Wedding Exhibition (YWE), now in its 20th year, will once again return to the AECC on Saturday and Sunday January 16 and 17 with tickets on sale now and selling fast.

Some of the highlights of the event will be a catwalk fashion show, showcasing the latest bridal wear, as well as Highlandwear, mother-of-the-bride outfits, hair and make-up and a display of wedding vehicles – ranging from luxury cars to classic camper vans.

During its time at the AECC, YWE has welcomed around 30,000 visitors and more than 1,700 exhibitors and this year’s event will be the biggest yet in terms of floor space with a list of vendors covering 6,500sq m of the GE Oil & Gas Arena.

Simon M Morgan, director at Your Wedding Exhibition, said:

“Each year we welcome thousands of visitors looking for ideas and inspiration for their big day and we are extremely proud to be able to be a part of making the most important day of their lives that extra bit magical.

“With 222 vendors exhibiting we are sure there will be something for everyone at the event – as well as some added surprises thrown in as well.”

Tickets for Your Wedding Exhibition are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk priced £12.50 for individuals and £45 for a group of four (under 16s go free). Tickets will also be available on the door at the event. Free parking for visitors will also be available at the AECC.

For further information please visit www.yourweddingexhibition.com

Pictures courtesy of YWE.

Clark Integrated Technologies Celebrates Landmark Year

Aberdeen City, Featured No Responses »

Jan 072016

Aberdeen, Tuesday, 24th March 2015 Clark Integrated Technologies, Auchterless, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, AB53 8EP (Picture by Michal Wachucik/Newsline Media Ltd)

Clark IT management team (from left) Marie Adams, Amar Mirashi, Austen Clark and Margo Robertson.

With thanks to Esther Green, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

2016 is a milestone year for leading North-east ICT specialists Clark Integrated Technologies which celebrates 25 years in business.

Clark IT is marking its silver anniversary with a series of special events, including a gala dinner at Fyvie Castle in July.

From humble beginnings – Clark Computers started trading from the family farm near Turriff – the business has grown into a company with 26 employees that is regarded as a leading independent provider of managed Information and Communications Technology solutions to a broad range of corporate and commercial clients across Scotland.

The company’s integrated solutions provide industry-leading services, productivity and cost effective IT platforms for business growth, allowing its clients to outsource key services to improve performance freeing their own time and resources to focus on core business.

In the past year alone, Clark IT was named among the top managed service providers in the world in the annual MSP mentor 501 list; it achieved ISO 9001 and its support of modern apprenticeships was recognised when the company came runner-up in the Microsoft Scottish apprentice employer of the year award.

The firm, based at Auchterless, near Turriff, is a Microsoft Silver Partner, a quality standard approved by the global tech company and is a one of only a handful of authorised Apple consultants in Scotland with dedicated support technicians experienced in the use of Apple products in the business world.

Managing director Austen Clark says:

“Clark IT has come a long way in 25 years – just think of the technological advances there have been in that period that have revolutionised the way we live and do business.

“We face the future with considerable optimism and look forward to many more years of growth and positively contributing to the economy of the North-east of Scotland.”

Founded in 1991 as Clark Computers by current chairman Graham Clark, the business was set up with a staff of 2 and operated from its rural location outside Turriff. The steady development and growth of the company facilitated the need for larger premises and it moved to its current site at Auchterless, which was previously the Towie Tavern, in 2003.

Clark IT is a leading independent provider of managed Information and Communications Technology solutions to a broad range of corporate and commercial clients across Scotland. For more information, see the firm’s website at www.clark-it.com

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Record Entry For 2016 Glover Scholarship

Aberdeen City, Featured No Responses »

Jan 072016

Aberdeen Asset Management/Glover Scholarship Winner Bar Soba, 104 Hanover Street, Edinburgh Aberdeen Asset Management has announced that Caroline Marshall (20) is the winner of its prestigious Glover Scholarship scheme whereby a Scottish student is granted the opportunity to maximise their career opportunities by studying in Japan. Neil Hanna Photography www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk 07702 246823

Photo: Caroline Marshall, winner of the 2015 Thomas Glover Scholarship.

With thanks to Esther Green, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

A prestigious annual scholarship which offers a student from a Scottish university the opportunity to visit Japan to study the country’s language, business and culture has attracted a record level of interest. Applications to the 2016 Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship have eclipsed all previous entry levels.

With 68 entries, it is double the number who applied last year and is the highest number of applications on record, according to the Japan Society of Scotland which runs the scholarship sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management.

The judging panel will have the tough task of drawing up a short list in the run up to Christmas, with interviews likely to take place in mid to late January.

A spokesman from the Japan Society of Scotland commented:

“At 68 the number of applicants this year has more than doubled compared with last and has risen steeply compared to previous years. The gender split is fairly even and there are applications from students attending a variety of Scottish universities.

“It seems there is growing awareness among the student fraternity about the tremendous opportunities this scholarship offers up to its winner.”

The Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship is a charitable fund which enables young people with an interest in Japanese culture and a clear business focus the chance to apply.

It funds travel to Japan for intensive study of the Japanese language at the International Christian University (ICU) Summer Programme, with preference to candidate whose interest in Japan has a business focus.

The scholarship is named after the Scottish entrepreneur Thomas Blake Glover, born in Aberdeenshire in 1838. Glover settled in Nagasaki in 1859 and played a critically important role in opening Japan to the west. Known as the Scottish Samurai, he introduced the first railway locomotive, started the Kirin brewery and influenced the industrial development of Mitsubishi.

This year’s winner, Caroline Marshall, spent the summer in Tokyo and described the experience as a dream come true.

Caroline (21), a former pupil of Trinity High School and Stonelaw High School, both Rutherglen, Glasgow is studying law at the University of Edinburgh and wants to pursue a career in international commercial law.

Of her experiences Caroline said:

“I can’t imagine gaining this kind of experience anywhere else.

“The programme is designed to teach a year of university level Japanese in six weeks. While this sounds daunting, it’s been an exciting and unique opportunity. Attending classes were only part of the experience. ICU runs a cultural programme alongside the course, meaning that students are given the opportunity to experience many traditional Japanese activities or places with Japanese students to guide us.

Through this scholarship, Aberdeen Asset Management and the Japan Society of Scotland have created a milestone in my life that I feel has already set me on a new and exciting path.”

The scholarship has grown in status and reputation over the years, evident by the rising tide of applications.

Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “It is encouraging to see a marked increase in the number of applications for this scholarship which offers an exceptional opportunity to experience Japanese education, industries and lifestyle and an opportunity to forge new partnerships with the country, which has one of the world’s largest economies.

“With such a high number of entries, no doubt the judging panel will have a tough time in the weeks ahead choosing the winning candidate.”

More about the scholarship can be found at www.facebook.com/GloverScholarship, www.twitter.com/gloverscholar and www.japansocietyofscotland.org.uk/

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