Aberdeen City Archives - Page 73 of 206

A Unique Family Album at Seventeen

Aberdeen City, Articles, Featured No Responses »

May 252015

“Are family albums a thing of the past? How do we select mementos of our family life in a digital era?” A new exhibition by a North-East artist explores how we preserve our family memories in a personal and moving collection on display at Seventeen this Summer. Andrew J Douglas reports.

Stéphanie’s paintings can be found in several international private collections.

Award winning artist, Stephanie Vandem, is fascinated by how people interact at their most personal level. For many years, Stephanie has focused on capturing people’s feelings through her portrait work.
This new collection of artwork goes a step further, investigating how relationships and emotions can be understood through body language, further emphasised by the absence of facial features.

The artist also investigates the idea of ‘visual abundance’ and of what is ‘precious’ in the digital era.

Stephanie said:

“Body language is what locks these characters together and reveals the nature of their emotions and intimacy. Today we find ourselves overloaded by repetitive images of ourselves and loved ones. This made me wonder: do these images still hold any power, or does such visual abundance dilute the concept of a precious and unique family album?

“By selecting images that represent landmark moments, I’m testing the ability of a single image to convey the nature and demands of a relationship and the implications of that moment on the future of the family members. “I hope ‘Family Album’ might inspire others to look at ways of curating and preserving their own memories.”

Brazilian by birth and educated in Paris, London, New York and Florence, she brings a variety of influences to her striking work, be that with her portraits or more thematic projects.

Stéphanie’s paintings can be found in several international private collections, and most recently the artist has painted the Bishop of Aberdeen, oil Tycoon Larry Kinch and the daughters of ‘Call the Midwife and Downton Abbey’ TV director Minkie Spiro.

The eleven paintings in ‘Family Album’ are supported by a film documentary made out of videos captured by the artist on her smart phone. This is a rare opportunity to get a glimpse at the creative process as the artist openly takes us through the stages of creating the artwork and opens the door to her family life, exposing how it has shaped, inspired or gotten in the way of completing the work.

The exhibition ‘Family Album’ will take place from 4 June to 4 July at Seventeen, Belmont Street, Aberdeen.

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Aberdeen’s Own National Karate Federation Do It Again

Aberdeen City, Sport No Responses »

May 222015

By Charlie Abel.

Aberdeen, and Scotland can once again hold it’s head high on the international stage of Karate having just lifted another bag of medals at the WKC World Karate Championships, this time from Riga, Latvia at the weekend.

Ronnie Watt’s NKF team have never disappointed when it comes to putting Scotland on the world’s Karate map.

The team themselves hosted the WKC World Championships in Aberdeen in 2000 at the AECC, said to have been one of the most memorable championships to date.

Ronnie, already a legend himself, is no stranger to the limelight having won numerous titles, championships, medals, awards, an OBE from the Queen, The Order of the Rising Sun and is one of the few genuine 8th Dan black belts.

This year Ronnie will celebrate his 50 years of involvement in Karate! The medals won by the squad are a testament to the quality of the Karate they are taught.

The NKF squad have returned from the WKC World Karate Championships in Riga, Latvia held on 16th and 17th of May. Nearly 500 Karate-ka from 19 countries took part.

After lots of hard training at home under the careful supervision of chief instructor (Ronnie Watt 8th Dan) and squad coach (Jock Calder 6th Dan) the NKF Scotland team took home 9 medals from the competition, including 1 gold medal, 4 silver and 4 bronze. Quite an amazing feat for a small self-funding club, and a proud moment for Scottish Karate.

The Championships began with a special training session specifically for the referees and judges on the specific techniques and criteria to be considered and assessed during the championships.

Ronnie Watt was invited as the special guest speaker and instructor to the seminar where he explained and demonstrated to 50 referees and judges what they should be looking for in making their judgements.

After 3 years of hard work Chris Davidson, one of the senior club members also became a fully qualified WKC referee at the seminar in Riga. No easy feat!

It’s been a great year so for the squad having won so many medals at Riga. Preparations are now under way for the next festival the club are hosting in Aberdeen in June, and for the next major international competition in France in October where they hope to repeat their success

Results:

Nissara Kirk – 1 gold and 1 bronze
Chloe Calder- 2 x silver.
Emma Stuart – 1 bronze
Girls team (above)- took a further 2 bronze medals in separate events
John McInnes took silver in Kumite
Mens team took silver in team Kumite and narrowly missed out on a medal for the team Kata against stiff competition.

Anyone interested in training Karate should call Aberdeen 734607 for more information.

Said Chief Instructor Ronnie Watt:

“We are always keen to attract new members of all ages.”

The club meet in Aberdeen, Cults, Kintore and Inverurie.

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Young Volunteer Joins In Charity Celebrations

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

May 222015

Chairman David Forbes (left) with young volunteer, Liam McDonald.

With thanks to David Forbes.

Aberdeen based disabilities charity Future Choices will join a host of other charities up and down the country to help Celebrate Volunteers Week.

This nationwide event gives the unsung heroes of the 3rd sector important recognition – and Future Choices is determined to show their volunteers how much they are appreciated.

Volunteers week is a special moment in the diary for the local charity as it’s been recognising it’s volunteers for the last 7 years since being a completely 100% voluntary led organisation.

David Forbes, Chairman for the Charity says:

“We as a charity are absolutely reliant on those who give up their time to help others, so recognising our dedicated team during this nationwide event is hugely important to us.

“One great thing we have to celebrate this year is the youngest volunteer joining our team, 16 year old Liam McDonald, it’s people like Liam that are our future and having Liam on the team is so inspiring to others his age, making a huge difference to those who need it the most.”

Liam McDonald said:

“I personally really enjoy helping out with future choices, I feel volunteering is a good thing to do at a young age. Volunteering for future choices benefits me in more than just one way, I get to help out a good friend with his charity and I get to bring a smile to others faces too which makes me feel better about myself.

“I think it’s great that charities like future choices are there for people in need of help and care.”

The charity are always keen to welcome new members and volunteers so if you feel you could benefit – contact info@future-choices.org.uk or freephone 0800 5668728

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Hospitality Agent Confirmed For Major N.E. Golf Event

Aberdeen City, Sport No Responses »

May 222015

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

Local organisation h-events has been appointed as the exclusive official hospitality agent for the inaugural Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play which will take place at Murcar Links this summer.

The prestigious European Tour event takes place between Thursday 30th July and Sunday 2nd August and, with a prize fund of €1 million, will feature 64 leading players on The Race to Dubai in a straight knockout match play contest.

Open winner Paul commented:

“h-events has been successfully delivering excellent hospitality and entertainment packages to the business community of Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland for many years. I’m delighted to have them as an Official Sales Partner of the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play because of their knowledge and experience of the marketplace.”

Harvey Smith, Managing Director at h-events, added:

“We are really pleased to be playing our part in what we believe will be a great event. Aberdeen is fast becoming an aspirational golfing destination and Paul Lawrie, ably supported by Saltire Energy, has done a brilliant job in attracting another major European Tour event to the Granite City.

“Following on from the very successful Scottish Open last year, the short stretch of North Sea courses from Royal Aberdeen to Murcar and on to Trump International ensures that Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland boasts some of the best courses anywhere in the United Kingdom.”

Further information and corporate enquiries can be made by telephoning 01330 826514 or by emailing joy@h-events.co.uk. www.h-events.co.uk .

Event website: www.paullawriematchplay.com
Facebook: Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play
Twitter: @PLMatchplay

Runners Show Support For CLAN At Baker Hughes 10k

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

May 222015

With thanks to Paul Smith, Citrus Mix.

Hundreds of runners have shown their support for a leading north-east cancer support charity by taking part in the Baker Hughes 10k road race on its behalf.

Over 115 individuals laced up their running shoes in support of CLAN Cancer Support at the popular event on Sunday (May 17), helping raise thousands of pounds for the charity with donations still flooding in.

Runners were also accompanied by charity mascot CLANCY who was taking part in the race for the first time. The charity also helped provide marshals to help with the event itself.

Organised by Sport Aberdeen, the beachfront run is the largest 10k race in the north-east and attracts thousands of participants on a yearly basis.

Susan Crighton, CLAN’s fundraising manager, was delighted with the support shown towards the charity.

She said:

“CLAN has had a presence at the Baker Hughes race for a number of years now and the support for the charity really has grown in tandem with the popularity of the event.

“Across the entire morning, there was a sea of runners donned in CLAN t-shirts making their way along the route and I’d like to personally thank each and every person who gave up their time to run for the charity at the race.

“Donations are still flooding in and all funds raised from the race will go directly towards our provision of free support services to anyone affected by cancer. Participating in events like these on our behalf really does help us in all that we do.”

CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer.

CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness. Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.

For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org

War And Peace In The Denburn Valley: A Review

Aberdeen City, Featured, Opinion 1 Response »

May 222015

David Innes reviews Diane Morgan’s Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens – War and Peace in the Denburn Valley.

One of Aberdeen’s finest vistas is the 270 degree panorama of the northern city centre visible from the comfort of His Majesty’s Theatre’s glass extension, not uncontroversial itself as an architectural development.

Robert Gordon’s College, Cowdray Hall and its War Memorial, the Triple Kirks’ sadly-neglected but worthy brick spire, the beautifully-restored Belmont Street buildings, the impressive traffic-swallowing jaws of Union Bridge and Union Terrace’s imposing geometric granite facades can all be taken in with little more than a single swivel of the head.

In any weather, the view warms the heart of those with a love of sympathetic, integrated urban development. It defines Aberdeen.

At its centre is Union Terrace Gardens, the floor of the Denburn Valley, its greenness contrasting yet complementing the stark beauty of native granite.

Who would think that such an unimposing but beauteous defile would have caused controversy for centuries during its development, and very recent real conflict as its future divided opinion and caused lasting damage to political and even personal relationships in Aberdeen?

Diane Morgan is meticulous in her narration of the controversies that have surrounded the Valley’s development since its days as a bleaching green on the banks of the burn between Mutton Brae and Corbie Heugh.

As in her previous essential heritage volumes, she brings history to life, as if James Matthews and James Forbes, early pioneers of the Gardens’ development, are flitting in and out of the pages along with the original occupants of Union Terrace as that grand avenue’s status grew from tenemented cul de sac to become a highly-desirable residential and commercial location.

Conflicts are not new, we discover. Arguments over railway routes, disputed hotel names, kirk developments, bridges, Denburn Viaduct and even the trend for placement of inappropriate city artefacts in the Gardens, has seen the Denburn Valley a continual focus for debate and even rancour in the city. The current Dandara development on the Triple Kirks site means that controversy continues.

Of course, it is the recent divisive controversies that most will remember, and the author hands over to Mike Shepherd, the tireless former chairman of the Friends of Union Terrace Gardens, to examine in detail, and subsequently fillet, the business case for the City Square/City Garden Project, all the while displaying the emotional attachment that Aberdonians have for their Trainie Park.

Side-swiping at the mania for ‘connectivity’, Ms Morgan points out that Union Bridge and Denburn Viaduct have already solved issues with “the physical barrier of the Denburn Valley” which marks “the place where the new city took over from the medieval town”.

This is a superb perspective of the troubled history of Aberdeen’s centre, as impressive as the view from HMT.

Aberdeen’s Union Terrace Gardens War and Peace in the Denburn Valley by Diane Morgan
Black & White Publishing
ISBN 978-1-84502-494-9
238pp
£14.99

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

How Many Left? This Sunday At GTM

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

May 222015

Final preparations are well underway for an exciting new event at the Grampian Transport Museum. With thanks to Martyn Smith.

How Many Left? will celebrate mass-produced vehicles which are now considered ‘endangered’ – those which have less than 500 of any specific model still licensed, according to DVLA statistics.

More than one hundred entries have been received for the inaugural event, including vehicles once considered every day cars – those which played an active part in many people’s day to day lives.

How Many Left? will feature static displays which will be further complimented with the addition of two vehicles believed to be the only examples of their type left; a 1976 Ford Granada Ghia Coupe and a 1978 Opel Commodore Coupe. The Opel has been owned by Alan Norrie of Longside, near Peterhead, for the last four years and was fully restored by a previous owner.

Visitors will be encouraged to take a trip down memory lane, with a number of vehicles taking to the museum’s road circuit for the ever popular passenger rides sessions at 12noon and 3pm. The light hearted event will feature further track activity including a grand vehicle parade (1.15pm – 1.45pm) and parallel auto test (2.00pm – 2.30pm), complete with expert commentary, will also add to the occasion!

There will be a presentation of awards at 2.35pm for the rarest vehicles of the day, assessed by the museums unique Rarity Index; a calculation which takes account of numbers known to exist and the original production run.

Public admission to How Many Left? is £5 for adults with children under the age of 16 and gtm+ members are admitted free! Museum admission will also be discounted on the day with adults £5, concessions £4 and students £2. 2 children are admitted FREE with every adult.

How Many Left? gets underway at 12noon and runs until 4pm.

RAM It Down Festival 2015 – Saturday May 23

Aberdeen City, Events, Featured, Information No Responses »

May 182015

With thanks to Mark Chalmers.

Fans of heavy metal in Aberdeen are set to have their own music festival. RAM It Down is Aberdeen’s only dedicated heavy metal festival, with 10 bands playing across two indoor stages.

The event will take place on Saturday 23rd May in The Garage Aberdeen and is the result of hard work from a group of volunteers in Aberdeen University Rock and Metal Society.

Five touring heavy metal bands from across the UK are set to play alongside five local bands. The bands have been chosen from a diverse range of metal sub-genres.

Headlining the main stage is groove-metal band, Xerath, who are increasingly gaining recognition for their extraordinary musicianship and intense technical metal sound.

Vocalist of Xerath, Rich, commented,

“Xerath are hugely excited to play this year’s RAM It Down Festival. We’ve always had an absolute blast in Scotland and it’s about time we ventured further north to Aberdeen! We cannot wait to see you all there at what promises to be a really special show!”

Joining Xerath on the main stage is female-fronted symphonic metal band Winter in Eden, who are travelling up from Durham especially for RAM It Down Festival. Winter in Eden have worked with some of the big names in their style. Their most recent album was produced by Ruud Jolie, guitar player of Within Temptation.

Steve Hauxwell, who plays drums for Winter in Eden had this to say,

“I’m really fired up about appearing at ‘RAM It Down’. I’ve never been to Aberdeen before and yet have heard so many great things from other acts that have performed at The Garage, so I already know it’s going to be an event to remember. There’s a good variety of styles on the bill too, personally I’m looking forward to seeing Red Rum deliver some good ‘ol Pirate Metal.”

Travelling yet further, is Nottingham-based Red Rum, who last year played Garage Aberdeen supporting fellow pirate-metal band Alestorm. Red Rum feature a range of traditional instruments, including Flute, Bouzouki and Mandolin, which they used to add a folk dimension to their pirate-themed heavy metal.

Commenting on their return to The Garage, bass player, Steven Ryan said,

“After pillaging Aberdeen for the first time with the mighty Alestorm we are thrilled to pillage again! No body will stop us on our quest as we sail to the finest shores of Scotland to play a rum-tastic show. We are excited and honoured to bombard Aberdeen with our pirate-shantees once more!”

One of the exciting names in Scottish heavy metal at the moment, are undoubtedly Fife-based Party Cannon. Their brightly-coloured logo may resemble that of a well-known mutli-national toy shop, but this ironically contrasts with the style of their music, which is extremely heavy. Party Cannon are influenced by bands such as Napalm Death and Cannibal Corpse, but do this in an entertaining way, often lightening the mood by bringing novelty items, such as balloons to their gigs.

Chris Ryan, who plays bass in Party Cannon, commented,

“We are super excited to bring our unique mix of atmospheric black metal and Euro mega trance to this year’s RAM It Down Festival. Join us at our alter of flesh, fog will rise and gabba will live in Aberdeen this May.”

Opening the main stage, are Aberdeen-based, White Wasted Virgin. They have a psychedelic-infused metal sound, which they claim is influenced by ‘everything heavy’. They have a comparatively energetic take on a style often described as ‘doom metal’. They will be opening the show at 5pm.

Headlining the second stage, is Toledo Steel, a band who are not just resurrecting the sound of early 80’s British metal, but also the direct approach to bringing music to their fans through intense touring commitment all over the UK. Toledo Steel are travelling all the way from Southampton to play a 3-date mini tour across the main Scottish cities.

Tom Potter, guitar player of Toledo Steel said,

“We’ve always found our Scottish fans to be some of the most dedicated and loyal metalheads. RAM It Down will be our first gig in Aberdeen and it’s a great honour to headline the second stage.”

Supporting Toledo Steel on the second stage are four local bands. These include, Asylum Four Star, who, like Toledo Steel, are resurrecting the sound of 80’s heavy metal, complete with powerful lead vocals, epic guitar solos and a strong rhythmic backing. Contrasing in style, are local band Boak, named after a colloquial word for vomit. Boak’s style fuses some of the heaviest punk and metal influences into their own sound.

Heavy metal has from its creation has been a style that demands intense musicianship, Aberdeen-based Kamehameha play a ‘tech-metal’ type style where the talent in the ranks of the band is displayed through intense grooves and instrumental parts.

Opening the main stage are a jam-band drawn from the ranks of the organisation hosting RAM It Down Festival. Aberdeen Uni Rocksoc band will be playing songs from across the spectrum of rock and metal.

RAM It Down Festival 2015
Sat 23 May, Garage, Aberdeen.
Doors 4.30pm (bands from 5pm)

Tickets are £10 and are available from Seratique, Belmont Street, Aberdeen and Campus Bar, Windmill Brae, Aberdeen.

E-Tickets are also available through Skiddle.

The Toon That Never Dooned

Aberdeen City, Creative Writing No Responses »

May 152015

By Julia Ghisoni.

The Tilly that never droned, the Dane that never stoned,
The Sheddock that never sleyed, the Cove that never bayed.

The Airy that never halled, the King that never swelled,
The Bridge that never donned, the Hill that never tonned.

The Al that never tenned, the Berry that never denned,
The Rose that never mounted, the Heathry that never folded.

The Kin that never corthed, the Tull that never lossed,
The Hazel that never hie’d, the Foot that never dee’d.

The Kitty that never brewstered, the Mill that never timbered,
The Leg that never garted, the West that never ended.

The Rubi that never slawed, the Ash that never groved,
The Craigie that never buckled, the Burnie that never boozled.

The Cummings that never parked, the Inch that never garthed,
The Summer that never hilled, the Auchin that never yelled.

The Mas that never tricked, the Pow that never wissed,
The Manno that never fielded, the side that never Bielded.

The Queen that never crossed, the Mugie that never mossed,
The Cairn that never cried, the Wood that never side.

The Poyner that never nooked, the Drum that never oaked,
The Craigie that never loaned, the Kepple that never stoned.

The St. that never Machared, the burn that never Scattered,
The Stracht that never langed, the Grand that never holmed.

Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Clark IT Shortlisted For Employer Of The Year Award

Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire No Responses »

May 152015

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

Clark IT apprentice Neil Warren nominated his employers for the Microsoft Scottish Apprentice Employer of the Year award.

With thanks to Beverly Tricker.

North-east firm Clark Integrated Technologies is in the running for the Microsoft Scottish Apprentice Employer of the Year award.

Neil Warren (18) from Oldmeldrum joined Clark Integrated Technologies (IT) as the company’s first ever apprentice earlier this year, and nominated his employers for the accolade.

The firm has reached the finals and Neil will accompany managing director Austen Clark to the Scottish Parliament later this month, where the winners will be announced.

Neil has appreciated the chance to gain a wide range of on-the-job experience and training through the QA apprenticeship scheme, and felt Clark IT deserved recognition for the “incredible” start they have offered him.

Neil says:

“They took a bit of a risk, taking me on for my enthusiasm, rather than my qualifications as I didn’t have as much to offer on paper as the other applicants.

“Now I’m getting proper training and work experience across a wide range of IT, so I’ve got the best of both worlds which is incredible.”

The winners will be announced at an evening reception at Holyrood in Edinburgh on May 20, during Scottish Apprenticeship Week which runs from 18-22 May.

Microsoft has developed its Modern Apprenticeship activity to help businesses in Scotland access talent to build their businesses, and as a way for local young people to gain high quality IT skills and long term employment. Its awards recognise the significant impact made by Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland with both employers and candidates.

Working with over 1,500 commercial partners in Scotland, as well as training partners, the scheme supports young people aged 16-24, improving vital technical skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

Taking on the company’s first modern apprentice has been a positive move for Clark IT, according to Mr Clark, who says:

“Neil nominating us for this award came completely out of the blue and it shows how much he’s valued becoming part of the Clark IT family.

“Equally, he has become a valued employee, showing us the benefits that apprentices bring to business. He’s fitted in really well and as a company we are delighted to be providing training within the workplace to help young employees develop and reach their potential.”

Clark IT has over 20 years of experience in providing industry leading support and delivering business-class technology. The company’s integrated solutions provide industry leading services, productivity and cost effective IT platforms for business growth.

With a client base in both Aberdeen City and Shire, a recent development has seen the expansion of Clark IT into the Inverness area.

About Clark IT:

Clark Integrated Technologies (Clark IT) was founded in 1991 and is one of Scotland’s leading independent providers of managed ICT solutions to a broad range of corporate and commercial clients across Scotland and beyond.

With a wealth of technological and commercial experience, supported by an established reputation, Clark IT offers clients reliable and honest strategic advice on all aspects of Information and Communications Technology. Find out more by visiting www.clark-it.com or calling 01888 511 441.

In March, Inverness-based The Castle Group, specialists in the provision of professional security services across Scotland, announced a new contract with Clark IT to provide the company with enhanced technology, upgraded devices and IT support.

Older Entries Newer Entries