Aberdeen City Archives - Page 77 of 206

ACSHA Optimistic About Hotel Occupancy Figures

Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

Mar 272015

With thanks to Eoin Smith, Tricker PR.

Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association (ACSHA) is remaining upbeat about the performance of the sector, despite a decline in occupancy rates last
month.
Figures released by hospitality research company STR Global shows that occupancy fell by 8% to 70% between January and February, and by 2.6% overall in the 12 months from February 2014.

In comparison, however, the average daily room rate dropped by 2.9% to £94.85, while the number of bedrooms available over 12 months increased by 4.6% due to new building projects.

Over 1,000 additional hotel rooms have been created in Aberdeen since 2013, with two further major hotel openings planned for sites at Aberdeen International Airport later this year.

ACSHA chairman Chris McGuinness believes that, in addition to the increased number of bedrooms, falling oil prices will also have influenced the February figures. He says that members of the trade organisation are taking a measured approach to the slump in the energy sector.

He said,

“There are a lot of very experienced operators in the city who have witnessed the cyclical nature of the energy sector over many years. We know only too well that the oil industry has peaks and troughs: the sector has enjoyed a phenomenal performance over the past couple of years, so the current downturn has not been unexpected.

“We expect to see a reduction in the amount of discretionary business travel as a result of the downturn, with less people traveling into the city for meetings and training courses. However, we are not panicking by entering into a rates war as previous experience tells us that this will not be a long-term issue.

“The current decline will not last forever, and as global demand for oil starts to increase so too will the price of Brent crude oil. When that happens, Aberdeen’s hotel industry will be in a stronger position than before with more bedroom availability for those visiting the city on business.

“For many years we have found ourselves in a situation where we did not have enough supply to meet demand. That should now start to balance out and the gap in performance between Aberdeen and rest of the UK – which has previously been far too big – will get closer.”

ACSHA has worked closely with destination management group VisitAberdeen to market the city for weekend breaks, and will continue to in efforts to help position Aberdeen as a leisure destination.

Mr McGuinness adds,

“The high demand for bedrooms midweek means that Aberdeen has some of the best value weekend rates anywhere in the world. Supporting VisitAberdeen continues to be a priority for ACSHA.

“We must not forget that there is more to the hospitality industry than bedrooms, and anecdotally members are telling us that revenue from food and beverage sales is rising year on year and meetings and events, which includes weddings, is also performing at the level it has in previous years.”

Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association represents 43 independently operated hotels and conference venues. These hotels provide around 4,100 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.

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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.]

Four In A Row For RGU

Aberdeen City, Featured, Sport No Responses »

Mar 272015

With thanks to Eoin Smith, Tricker PR.

Robert Gordon University has won the 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Boat Race. They won with a time of eight minutes and 30 seconds, beating rivals the University of Aberdeen by one and three-quarter lengths for the fourth consecutive year.

Runners up the University of Aberdeen completed the course in a time of eight minutes and 36 seconds.

Hundreds of spectators lined the banks of the River Dee to cheer on the universities as they tested their mettle on the water.

Emily Geddes, president of Robert Gordon University Boat Club, says,

“We are all absolutely delighted to have won the boat race, especially as it enters its 20th year. I am really proud of everyone who took to the water this year – all those early mornings and late nights really paid off. Continuing our winning streak into its fourth year feels fantastic!

“We’d like to thank Aberdeen Asset Management for their continued support of the boat race, and Tom and the crew from the University of Aberdeen who gave us a run for our money, as always. We’re already looking forward to next year’s rematch!”

The alumni boat race was won by Robert Gordon University by one and a third lengths in a time of eight minutes and 56 seconds. The universities’ second crew boat race was won by the University of Aberdeen in a time of two minutes and 32 seconds.

After a tense heat between the BBC and Original 106fm, the latter went on to compete against reigning champions the Evening Express in the media challenge. Original 106fm came out on top, winning in a time of one minute 20 seconds. They raced 300m in coxed ‘tub’ pairs.

Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, says,

“I would like to offer the winning crew from Robert Gordon University our warmest congratulations. I would also like to commend the University of Aberdeen for their efforts on the water. Both teams gave it their all today, and the hard work they put in training showed when it mattered. At Aberdeen Asset Management, we are proud to continue supporting Scotland’s oldest boat race.”

Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, principal of Robert Gordon University, says,

“Everyone at RGU is absolutely delighted with the win today. The crew have worked incredibly hard over the last few months, and deserve every bit of their victory. I would also like to congratulate the crew from the University of Aberdeen who put up a valiant effort, and proved themselves to once again be worthy competitors.”

Follow the Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race on Facebook or on Twitter @2015boatrace

Valerie Watts – Did She Snub Standards Commission?

Aberdeen City, Opinion 6 Responses »

Mar 202015

11 February, 2015: Former Aberdeen City Chief Executive Valerie Watts, is called as an important witness in a Standards Commission hearing taking place in Aberdeen’s townhouse. Seven elected councillors are accused of using council facilities for political ends concerning a letter sent to residents. Despite a month’s notice of this hearing, despite agreeing to participate (and the ability to join from Northern Ireland via video link), Watts fails to join.

Watts gives the excuse that she has a meeting with the Permanent Secretary in Stormont which clashes with the hearing. The Aberdeen hearing is thus stalled.

Aberdeen Voice researched Watts’ diary conflict claims, and learned there are : “…no records held in the Department that indicate that Valerie Watts had to attend a meeting on 11 February 2015.” (letter to S Kelly from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety 19 March 2015). So why didn’t she participate in the hearing when she had previously agreed to do so? Suzanne Kelly reports.

Background

During the independence referendum, Aberdeen City Council sent a letter to city residents advising them the council had voted to back the ‘No’ Vote.
It was a heated time; many residents were angered, feeling the city should not have mentioned the referendum issue at all.

The Standards Commission decided that a hearing was required into the matter, and on 11 February 2015 it summoned many of those involved to a hearing at the Town House.

The city’s legal advisors, officers and elected councillors (several of whom were the subject of the hearing) all turned out as requested.

One of the Commission’s witnesses was to be Valerie Watts. Watts had been the £148,000 per year Chief Executive of Aberdeen City Council; the hearing expected her to participate via a video link. She had after all indicated her willingness.

Watts did not appear at the hearing. She called off, apparently claiming she needed ‘to meet with the Permanent Secretary’ on the day instead. Watts is back in Stormont where she earlier worked, now in The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. There was apparently very little notice given to the hearing organisers, and no explanation of why a video link was not viable.

With no testimony, the matter is unresolved – no one is cleared, no one is exonerated. The ball has been kicked into touch – until after the elections in May. Considering the hearing was to be into whether or not council materials had been used for political purposes, the hearing’s delay until after the election seems rather ironic.

The local newspaper the Evening Express reported:

“The hearing was due to run for three days but has now been deferred as former chief executive Valerie Watts, who was to give evidence via video link from Northern Ireland, cancelled at the last minute as she had another meeting.

“Ian Gordon, the hearing chairman, called her late call-off “disrespectful” and “bordering on contempt”.

“Ms Watts could not be reached for comment.”

The Evening Express’ sister paper The Press & Journal confirmed this excuse involved the Permanent Secretary:

“After the morning session, Ranald Macpherson, representing the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life, said Mrs Watts had been called away “to a meeting with the permanent secretary””

When Ms Watts refused to explain this scheduling conundrum, freedom of information requests were launched. When did she know about the hearing?

witnesses were expected to attend by agreement

When did she know about the apparent clash with the Permanent Secretary’s meeting?

Does the Permanent secretary call last minute ad-hoc meetings?

Why wouldn’t Watts simply have explained to the PS that she was expected to join a hearing in Scotland by Skype on the 11th February? Was there in fact a clash at all?

As further information is released shedding light on the matter, it looks as if the excuse given for this disrespect has been somewhat disingenuous, perhaps even misleading.

Invitation to a hearing.

Aberdeen Voice has obtained documents which seem to clearly indicate that Watts had a one month advance notice of this meeting, and she appears to have agreed to give her evidence by video link. The office of the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland advised Aberdeen Voice on 16 March:

“Arrangements for the hearing were made by the Standards Commission. Although the Commission has power to require the attendance of witnesses, the position in this case was that witnesses were expected to attend by agreement. This office was responsible for the arrangements made with Valerie Watts. Any communications with Valerie Watts was both by telephone and by email…

“Ms Watts was given one month’s notice of our intention to call her as a witness at the hearing on 11 February 2015. Ms Watts agreed in telephone conversations in advance to give evidence by video-link at 4pm on 11 February 2015.

“Ms Watts was informed on 12 January 2015 that she was required to give evidence at this hearing.”
(email to S Kelly from the office of the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland

Meetings with the Permanent Secretary

Of course now that Watts is back in Northern Ireland, she must prioritise her engagements, and meeting the Permanent Secretary would be an important meeting. Watts could reasonably have been expected to tell the PS’s office she had a long-standing agreement to give evidence at a hearing. Whether or not the PS knew of the hearing is still unclear. What is clear is that this is the official list of engagements involving Watts and the PS as supplied following a FOI:

“Permanent Secretary meetings in 2015 that Valerie Watts was invited to attend:

Weekly Thursday morning meetings, 9am – 10am, with other attendees, (exceptions of 15 & 22 January and 5, 19, and 26 February), organised by telephone in advance;

14 January, 10am, without other attendees, organised via telephone;

22 January, 2pm, with other attendees, organised via e-mail;

23 January, 2:30pm, with other attendees, organised via telephone;

23 January, 3:30pm, with other attendees, organised via telephone;

13 February, 12:30pm, with other attendees, organised via telephone; and

3 March, 9:30am, with other attendees, organised via telephone.

“As per your e-mail of 4 March 2015, confirming that you were content that your request for a review of DHSSPS/2015-0017 be treated under the response to DHSSPS/2015-0026, I can confirm there are no records held in the Department that indicate that Valerie Watts had to attend a meeting on 11 February 2015.

“However, on receipt of the original enquiries from you, Valerie Watts was given the opportunity to comment (see her comments above). Copies of the e-mails are attached for information. Her response in no way had any bearing on the previous response to you.”
(letter to Kelly from DHSSPS 19 March 2015).

This crucial, not to be postponed or missed appointment with the PS comes two days before the scheduled 13 February meeting they would have seen each other at. The mysterious 11 February meeting with the PS for which the hearing was in effect jilted came 18 days after the two had last met on 23 January.

For this meeting to have trumped the Aberdeen hearing and yet not have made it onto any record supplied under Freedom of Information requests is remarkable.

If there is no record of Watts being required by the PS on the date of the Aberdeen hearing, and also having a meeting with the PS on 13 February (these meetings do not seem like rare affairs), either there was no meeting, or whatever business was to have been discussed by Watts and the PS on 11 February was not as important as the Aberdeen hearing, set one month in advance.

Watts the story?

Watts was asked by her own department to help them answer freedom of information questions about her non-appearance; her suggested response includes:

“1. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety hold no records in relation to this matter.” and “The Chief Executive of the Care Board for Northern Ireland carries the unique responsibility for the prioritisation of commitments in relation to the responsibilities of her current post.” (emails supplied under FOI).

(For the record, it is clear from other correspondence received that information as to meeting schedules is held)

A few questions for the witness.

It would be interesting to know who in Watts’ new role in Stormont knew of her hearing appointment.

If so, when did they know about it? Who was involved in deciding to skip the Aberdeen hearing: i.e. did the PS tell her to skip the hearing, or did she decide to skip the hearing without consulting anyone? Was this newly-scheduled PS meeting of such urgency that it meant a video link to the hearing was totally impossible? If so, who took that decision?

How much public money was spent on the derailed hearing is unknown – transport, accommodation, civil servant’s time – would be among the costs incurred; perhaps we should be told.

Summing up

Given various previous bumps in Ms Watts’ tenure as Chief Executive in Aberdeen (see https://aberdeenvoice.com/2014/03/valerie-watts-long-thanks-for-errr/ ), perhaps the various Standards and Ethics bodies may wish to turn their attention in her direction?

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Entries Invited For The Toulmin Prize 2015

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Mar 202015

John Reid – Toulmin Prize. Credit: Leopard Magazine

Courtesy of Leopard Magazine.

The University of Aberdeen’s Elphinstone Institute has launched the 2015 Toulmin Prize, with £500 up for grabs for the winning entry.

The competition, now in its seventh year, commemorates the work of one of the North-east’s finest exponents of the short story.

John Reid (1913-1998) was an Aberdeenshire farm labourer from Rathen, near Fraserburgh, who spent most of his life working long hours for very small rewards.

In odd moments, he jotted down short stories, character studies and bothy tales. Eventually, as David Toulmin, he had a few articles printed in local newspapers.

The first of his 10 books was published when he was 59. The books consist mostly of short stories and reminiscences, with his one novel, Blown Seed, painting a harsh picture of farm life. In the later years of his life, Reid moved to Pittodrie Place, Aberdeen (later to Westhill) and was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Aberdeen in 1986.

The Toulmin Prize is open to all amateur writers over the age of 16. The short story – up to 4000 words in length – should be concerned with some aspect of life in North-east Scotland and may be written in Scots, including Doric, or English, or a mixture of the two. Previous prize-winners cannot submit an entry.

In addition to the cash prize, the winning entry will be published in Leopard Magazine and subsequently featured on the website of the Scots Language Centre.

The award for the best entry will be made at the University of Aberdeen’s May Festival, when the winning story will be read aloud by well-known North-east writer, Sheena Blackhall.

The closing date for entries is 31 March 2015. For entry details and a form, please visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/elphinstone/events/toulmin/

Text and photo courtesy of Leopard Magazine

The Bodyguard At HMT – Duncan Harley Reviews

Aberdeen City, Featured, Opinion No Responses »

Mar 202015

By Duncan Harley.

Bearing more than a passing resemblance to Akira Kurosawa’s 1961 epic screenplay Yojimbo, the plot of The Bodyguard – The Musical borrows heavily from the 1992 romantic cinematic thriller of the same name.
But does it deliver?

Ex-secret agent Frank Farmer – played by Stuart Reid – metaphorically wanders around the stage in pursuit of security work.

Having stumbled across the alien world of big time show business in the form of stalker threatened Rachel Marron (Alexandra Burke) he unwittingly tips the balance of power in Diva-land.

As the musical drama plays out on stage, this 21st century pistol toting samurai demonstrates both unyielding loyalty to his new show-biz employer and also a tender love interest towards her in a story line reminiscent of Yojimbo’s double edged game in Kurosawa’s post feudal Japan.

The dialogue scenes are cinematic both in perspective and in delivery and at times it is tempting to view the performance as simply a stage remake of Whitney Houston’s Academy Award winning Hollywood acting debut.

This is, after all, the musical of the film of the book and that in anyone’s script, is a hard place to be.

The fact that Lawrence Kasdan’s original screenplay had originally intended that Steve McQueen and Diana Ross co-star must make taking on the leading roles challenging at the very least. This combined with a thin script, in which the loyal but completely incompetent Frank exposes his charge to danger at every turn before finally taking a bullet for her, might well tempt even the most confident super-star to body swerve the production.

In many ways however, the plot is somewhat incidental and serves well as a vehicle for Alexandra Burke’s powerful delivery of the Whitney hits.

From the opening Queen of the Night to the curtain call I Wanna Dance With Somebody her richly silky contralto more than delivers. Unphased by those “big” songs it was clear even before she got to Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You that here was a star in the ascendancy. Add to this those glitzy costumes and commanding stage presence and you have a crowd-wower extraordinaire!

In sharp contrast, Stuart Reid’s aurally challenging singing performance in the karaoke-bar scene is intentionally painful. With an artistic pedigree including Mama Mia, Dancing at Lughnasa and Miracle on 34th Street he breezed through the humorously off-tune melody seamlessly.

Melissa James, as the sidelined sister Nicki Marron, neatly complements the successful, career- focused Rachel while The Stalker, played malevolently by Mike Denman, drew panto-like hisses from the audience almost as soon as he appeared on stage.

Young star Elliot Aubrey – Shine Like The Sun/Stanley Halls Theatre – shone as Fletcher. Delivering a strong and focused performance, he brought a genuine innocence to what is after all a dark and tragic tale.

With superb use of stage scenery and a host of spectacular special effects, The Bodyguard – The Musical looks as good as it sounds. Of particular note are the cleverly automated “camera shutter like” back drops. Musical Director Tom Gearing and the orchestra excelled.

Add into the mix an awesomely acrobatic dance ensemble worthy of Broadway and the audience really begins to rock!

All the classic numbers are here in one package which makes the musical a must see if you are a Whitney Houston fan and even more of a must see if you are a fan of Alexandra Burke.

The Bodyguard – The Musical plays at HM Theatre Aberdeen until Saturday 28th March.

Tickets from Aberdeen Performing Arts Tel: 01224- 641122

Words © Duncan Harley. Images © Paul Coltas and © Uli Weber

Rowing Club President Targets Four in Row

Aberdeen City, Featured, Sport No Responses »

Mar 202015

With thanks to Cate Gordon, Tricker PR.

Emily Geddes (20) from Aberdeen, President of Robert Gordon University Rowing Club has been encouraging her team to train harder than ever to ensure victory in the fiercely contested race between Robert Gordon University and University of Aberdeen in the Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race.

This year’s race takes place on Saturday 21st March along the River Dee and is set to be a very closely fought race.

As President of the rowing club, Emily has been tasked with selecting members of the club to form the crew which will give Robert Gordon University the best chance of crossing the finishing line in the fastest time.

Last year’s race was won by Robert Gordon University in a time of seven minutes and forty seven seconds.

Emily, an applied sports and exercise student is a very experienced rower, practicing the sport since the age of 13 and has won double gold medals at the British Championships at J18 category. She is hoping her passion and aptitude for rowing will be translated into a fourth win in a row for Robert Gordon University at the event.

Emily is determined to win this year’s boat race,

“Both universities crossed the finish line in record breaking times last year, which made the win even more special for our university team. Every member of our 2015 team has been working incredibly hard to ensure that we are fully prepared for this race. Bring on race day!”

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management comments:

“the hard work and dedication put in by all rowers involved in the Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race is consistently impressive. Now in its 20th year, the event proves to be as exhilarating to partake in as it is to spectate.”

Follow the 2015 Aberdeen Asset Management Universities’ Boat Race at www.facebook.com/AAM BoatRace and at http://twitter.com/2015Boat Race

Jazz For All Ages At Aberdeen Jazz Festival

Aberdeen City, Featured, Information No Responses »

Mar 202015

Cindy Douglas presents two unique shows at this year’s Aberdeen Jazz Festival

With thanks to Cindy Douglas.

Scottish jazz vocalist Cindy Douglas presents two unique shows that promise concert-goers something extra at this year’s Aberdeen Jazz Festival, which runs from 18-22 March.

In a tribute to the musical pairing of Billie Holiday and Lester Young, Cindy and award-winning saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski revisit the music of these two jazz giants. The show, called ‘Lady Day & The Pres’, debuted at last year’s Edinburgh Jazz Festival to great acclaim and this year’s performance coincides with Billie Holiday’s centenary, Billie Holiday and Lester Young met early in their careers and founded one of the most enduring musical partnerships jazz has ever seen.

Both sensitive people, easily hurt by the hard knocks of the music business and the racism that was a way of life in those years, they found solace in each other.

Cindy says about the show:

“Billie Holiday is a legend, but not everyone knows the fascinating stories behind her life and that of her soul mate Lester Young. In that way the show is far more than just a concert. Anecdotes between songs make the music come alive.”

Lady Day & The Pres takes place at the Carmelite Hotel in Stirling Street on Sunday March 22nd, at 7.30pm and tickets include a 3-course dinner. In addition to this performance, Cindy is bringing a second show to the festival, specifically aimed at families with children.

As part of the ‘Jazz on the Green’ outdoor programme, the jazz singer will perform a unique family-friendly show called ‘Get your Groove on!’ to introduce children to jazz and live music and to “get the whole family up and dancing”. Tunes will include songs from popular kids’ movies like Snow White, Pinocchio, Toy Story, Cars, Monster Inc & 101 Dalmations.

Jazz on the Green is a free afternoon event taking place in the city’s Merchants Quarter on Saturday 21st March, with live jazz performances outdoors on the Green and in venues around it.

Cindy says about ‘Get your Groove on!:

“The kids’ show is so much fun, everybody loves it and it is great to see the kids enjoying their favourite songs performed by a live band rather than watching it on DVD.”

Cindy Douglas, who is based in Aberdeenshire, gigs regularly in Scotland and has developed a broad repertoire that ranges from swing to post-bop and encompasses everything in between.

She has studied with some of the world’s leading jazz vocal educators, including Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Anita Wardell, and Liane Carroll and her singing style has been described as exuberant, mesmerising and versatile.

In 2012, Cindy released her first album, My New Jive, which was recorded in London with pianist Tim Richard’s trio.

Lady Day and the Pres
Sunday 22nd March, 7.30pm
Carmelite Hotel, Stirling Street, Aberdeen.
£20 inc 3 course dinner.
Bookings made directly with the Carmelite Hotel on 01224 589 101.

Get Your Groove On!

Saturday 21st March, 1pm

Carmelite Hotel, Stirling Street, Aberdeen.

FREE.

Tullos Hill Petition Closing Soon – More Signatures Needed

Aberdeen City, Environment, Featured 12 Responses »

Mar 172015

At the end of March a petition asking for answers about Tullos Hill will close. Anyone interested in finding out how their tax money is being used, anyone interested in saving the city’s remaining roe deer population, and anyone who wants to ensure further money isn’t wasted is urged to sign now. Suzanne Kelly updates Aberdeen Voice on the petition that the ‘Save The Tullos Hill Deer’ group created at the end of 2014.

Time is running out for a petition which could force the city to release information on its costly Tree For Every Citizen scheme and which may help save the city’s remaining roe deer from further culling.

The petition can be found here.

Anyone resident in Aberdeen who is on the electoral role can sign. Signatories have to register with Aberdeen City via the link on the petition page.

Many people have reported problems with the city’s electronic system – anyone who wants help in registering can email sgvk27@aol.com.

Aberdeen residents may recall the Liberal Democrats’ election pledge two elections back: A Tree For Every Citizen. Who could object to such a scheme, especially as it was not going to cost the Aberdeen taxpayer any money?

Aberdeen Voice investigations have since proved this innocent-sounding scheme was costly in terms of money and in the much-loved Tullos Hill roe deer population, which had existed in the meadowlands of Tullos for decades before the scheme was rolled out. No one was told that the majority of the trees were destined for meadowland on Tullos Hill (itself an industrial and domestic waste dumping area which had evolved into fields supporting insects, plants, birds and small animals).

No one was told that a previous scheme had seen Aberdeen’s taxpayers penalised £43,800 for the failure of the previous attempt to grow trees on the hill, either. Another fact which was not included in the public consultation was the city and Scottish Natural Heritage had already decided that to implement the scheme, they were going to kill most of the existing roe deer.

These deer had not previously been seen as a problem; they were simply small animals living 6-7 years, greatly enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.

Further background on the Tree For Every Citizen Scheme can be found by using Aberdeen Voice’s line search facility.

The scheme went ahead, and the trees planted are in many (if not all) areas on Tullos overshadowed by weeds which will likely kill them. Some three dozen roe deer were slaughtered – while people were allowed to roam on the hill — as a hired hunter shot them. The city’s risk matrix didn’t think that the residents using the hill for walking, bicycling or riding motorbikes were in any danger of running into a stray bullet.

The petition took months for the city to approve its wording. It had an initial deadline which was extended when it emerged that people who lived outwith the city or who were not on the electoral roll had been allowed to sign. The city has allowed extra time for people to come forward to sign.

The petition asks for assurances that no further deer will be shot until at a minimum the actual population is known – there may be as few as 19 animals left in the city’s remaining, shrinking green belt pockets according to Scottish Natural Heritage Figures. Deer were killed to plant trees which may never thrive.

The city will be asked to disclose exactly how much money has been spent on the scheme to date; Aberdeen Voice has figures showing that the main consultant, Chris Piper, has received in excess of £50,000 for his services to date. Tens of thousands of pounds seem to have been spent on fencing. How much money the city spent on cleaning toxic chemicals from the soil and removing debris is unknown.

The petition also wants the city to ask for a guarantee from Scottish Natural Heritage / The Forestry Commission that the taxpayer will not be expected to hand over another £48,000 should this current tree-planting scheme fail – which some believe it is destined to do.

Anyone who wants answers or who wants to protect the remaining deer is urged to sign before the end of March.

STOP PRESS: Some new information has come to light in relation to the Tree For Every Citizen Scheme. Aberdeen Voice will report soon.

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Green Light For New Exhibition Centre Plans

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Mar 132015

Steve Harris, Chief Executive of VisitAberdeen – Copyright: Newsline Scotland

With thanks to Stevie Brown, Tricker PR.

Plans for a new state-of-the-art £333m Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) have been approved. The planned 15,000 capacity conference and concert venue, will almost double to capacity of the current AECC which has a maximum capacity of 8,500, and will include conference facilities, a concert hall, two hotels and a green energy plant, aimed at offsetting costs.

Planners are in discussion with Aloft Hotels and Hilton regarding the construction of two onsite hotels which would provide up to an additional 350 rooms for the city.

Subject to planning permission, the new venue will be based in Dyce near Aberdeen International Airport.

Steve Harris, Chief Executive of VisitAberdeen says,

“The announcement that the plans for the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre have been approved can only strengthen the international event and conference product Aberdeen offers. The AECC contributes over £80m to the north-east economy each year, which increases to approximately £140m during the biennial Offshore Europe exhibition.

“Aberdeen has a strong conference product, and was ranked in 11th position in The British Meetings and Events Industry Survey in 2014 for business tourism and events. The new exhibition centre will address the need for a bigger purpose built facility, to accommodate the requirements of the conference and entertainment event industry, and without it, Aberdeen will most certainly lose out on future events and the economic benefits that they bring to the city.

“The new location of the centre positioned near Aberdeen International Airport is a significant move, and will make travel to and from the venue even easier than the existing site for international visitors. The state-of-the-art conference centre is a hugely valuable investment to Aberdeen and we look forward to welcoming even more corporate and leisure events to the city.”

VisitAberdeen is a partnership between Aberdeen City Council and the industry including Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association and Aberdeen Inspired. For further information contact VisitAberdeen on 01224 900490 or visit www.visitaberdeen.com.

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Job Opportunity At Peacock Visual Arts

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Mar 132015

Peacock Visual Arts is looking for an experienced Communications and Marketing Manager to join its Aberdeen-based team. Applicants will have at least two years experience in digital marketing and sales, preferably (though not necessarily) in a fine art context.

Peacock Visual Arts is the leading contemporary art organisation in Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland.

Funded by Creative Scotland and Aberdeen City Council it provides facilities for print making, photography, video, digital design and fabrication and presents an international programme of exhibitions, talks, screenings and gigs.

Set up forty years ago as a fine art printmaking workshop it continues to work with major artists from around the world on ambitious and highly acclaimed print publishing and editioning projects.

Reporting to the Director, the Communications and Marketing Manager will be responsible for all Peacock’s communications and marketing and, with the Print Curator, for developing and implementing successful sales strategies.

Aim:

The aim of the post is threefold:

Increase participation in all Peacock’s activities.
Raise its profile locally, nationally and internationally.
Increase income from print sales.

Salary: Negotiable depending on skills and experience.

For further information and to download the full Job Description please visit http://www.peacockvisualarts.com/ or request it by emailing sarah@peacockvisualarts.co.uk.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon Monday 6 April.

(You will be notified if you have been selected for interview by Thursday 9 April. Interviews will take place on Tuesday 14 April.)

For the interview you will be expected to bring examples of your professional design work and other examples that you admire.

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