Christmas Archives - Page 4 of 7

An Absolute Beauty Of A Show

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Dec 052014

Duncan Harley reviews Beauty and the Beast at HMT.

Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre has been staging pantomime for almost a century and the 2014 festive production of Beauty and the Beast looks likely to break all previous records as regards eye watering gags and entertainment value for children of all ages.

From the very start, the production engages all sections of the audience with a blistering series of innuendo laden laughs guaranteed to keep the grown-ups happy and the youngsters wondering.

In one of the funniest slapstick performances ever witnessed on an Aberdeen stage, Mrs Potty – played by Elaine C. Smith – wields her truncheon while fellow cast members variously demonstrate their prowess with feather dusters and frying pans.

The result is hilarious and the deadpan delivery complete with split second timing literally brings the house down.

Of course in true panto tradition, there are goodies and baddies. Mrs Potty, Dame Kitty Brewster – played by the production’s writer Alan McHugh – and of course the beautiful Belle, come into the first category. Anne Smith plays the evil witch Deadly Nightshade and Paul Leubke gives a versatile performance as the extremely unlovable alpha male Harris McTweed.

The Beast – Luke Newton – is of course a baddie destined to improve nicely as he slowly transforms into the handsome Prince Sebastian.

There are special effects galore including a quite extraordinary airborne Elaine C. Smith plus the unforgettable and incredibly scary Kraken of the Deep.

Highlights include a splendid rendering of the 1960’s Beach Boy’s hit “Surfing Cruden Bay” delivered by Dame Kitty and her wee son Boabby Brewster – played by Jordan Young. For my vote the deadpan mis-direction in the Wedding Scene and the moment when the orchestra commit the cardinal sin of opening their brolly’s indoors come a very close joint second.

Sound, set design and lighting are faultless and the costumes are to die for. With a superb musical score and entertaining choreography this is a truly magical pantomime experience.

Produced by Michael Harrison and directed by Sam Kane, Beauty and the Beast at HM Theatre Aberdeen will run and run until Sunday January 4th 2015.

Is there a happy ending ever after?

You’ll just have to go and see …

Tickets are available from Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122 and on line at www.boxofficeaberdeen.com

Words and pictures by Duncan Harley

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Christmas Cracker Record Attempt Needs Us To Pull Together

Articles, Featured No Responses »

Dec 052014

With thanks to Stevie Brown, Account Manager, Tricker PR.

An attempt to break the world record for the longest Christmas cracker pulling chain is set to take place in Aberdeen as part of a drive to promote the city for festive breaks.

VisitAberdeen is appealing for cracker pullers to turn out in force to smash the current record which stands at 749 on Saturday Dec 6 .

The human chain of simultaneous cracker snappers will take place in the Bon Accord Centre atrium, with registration beginning at 12pm and the countdown to the ‘big bang’ starting at 1pm.

Steve Harris, Chief Executive of VisitAberdeen, says,

“We have been appealing for people to bring their family and friends to the record attempt for the last few weeks, and the response has been fantastic – we’ve even heard from a family from New Zealand who are going to take part in the event. Christmas is a time of year for people to come together and have fun, and that’s exactly what this record is all about.

“Aberdeen is a magical place at Christmas time and we’re always looking for unusual ways to highlight the festive spirit and activities in the city. We’re a city full of Christmas fun from the Santa’s Grotto and ice rink in Union Terrace Gardens to our excellent high street and independent shopping. From mince pies on the Deeside railway’s Santa Express to craft fayres in Castle courtyards, the discerning traveller from 8 to 80 will find their ideal festive break in and around Aberdeen.”

Craig Stevenson, Centre Manager at the Bon Accord Centre says,

“We’ve never seen a record attempt like this at the centre and we’re really excited to be part of the big event. The first Saturday in December is one of the biggest shopping days of the year and we’re expecting more than 50,000 shoppers to pass through the doors, and would love as many of them as possible to get involved in the world record event.”

Participants can find more information on social media and show their support for the event at facebook.com/crackerrecord and on Twitter @CrackerRecord.

The Christmas cracker world record attempt is supported by Thistle Hotels which have supplied more than 2,500 crackers in the hope of breaking the existing record.

The current world record stands at 749 set by Brindleyplace, Birmingham.

The Christmas cracker was invented by Tom Smith in 1847, and last year over 300 million crackers were pulled in the UK alone.

In order for this event to be considered by the Guinness Book of Records as a genuine world record, each participant must register and be filmed registering for their cracker. The final line of cracker pullers has to be filmed. Organisers expect that it will take 12 weeks to have the record attempt verified by Guinness book of Records.

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Ice Rink Skates Into Town For Christmas

Aberdeen City, Articles, Featured No Responses »

Dec 022014

With thanks to Phil Moar.

Business organisation Aberdeen Inspired welcomed a very special visitor as it officially launched its outdoor ice rink in Union Terrace Gardens.

Oliver Constant, an ARCHIE Foundation ambassador, along with his mother Anne and two sisters, Hannah and Holly, were the first to don their skates and take to the rink to mark its opening.

Oliver and his family have been receiving support from The ARCHIE Foundation, the official charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and were able to try their hand at a spot of ice hockey on the new rink with members of the popular Aberdeen Lynx ice hockey team.

The rink, in a new location this year within the gardens, will be open from noon to 8pm each day between now and January 4. Admission will cost £3 per person, including skate hire, with that entire entry fee being donated by Aberdeen Inspired to the children’s charity.

The attraction forms part of a programme of Christmas events devised by the business organisation as it aims to meet its goal of increasing footfall to the city centre alongside contributing to Aberdeen’s Winter Festival offering.

Gary Craig, Aberdeen Inspired’s chief executive, said:

“The ice rink was such a success last year that we’ve brought it back again alongside extending the length of time it is within the city centre to allow even more people to enjoy it over the festive holidays.

“The rink will offer fun and sparkle in the run up to Christmas and New Year and we’d encourage friends and families, from Aberdeen and the north-east, to come down, don a pair of skates and get into the festive spirit.

“We’re delighted that the rink is in a new home this year within Union Terrace Gardens, adding a fresh feel alongside allowing businesses in a different part of the zone to benefit from the positive impact that an attraction such as this can bring to the area.”

David Cunningham, chief executive of The ARCHIE Foundation, said:

“This is an amazingly generous gesture from the businesses of the BID district and Aberdeen City Council. The ice rink is very popular and great fun, and now every skater will be helping The ARCHIE Foundation to make a real difference for the sick children of the north east and northern isles, over the festive season and in the future, through our ‘High 10 for ARCHIE’ appeal.

“They can’t all say thank you individually, but on their behalf we can and we are all extremely grateful.”

Spearheaded by Aberdeen Inspired, the ice rink has been brought to the city centre in partnership with Aberdeen City Council which has contributed £30,000 to the total cost of £132,000. The council has also contributed a further £42,500 towards additional festive activities within the area.

This total, coupled with Aberdeen Inspired’s £102,000 contribution towards the ice rink, marks a significant investment by both organisations into this year’s festive line-up of events.

Lord Provost George Adam said:

“Thanks to partnership working residents and visitors to the city will enjoy an array of festive activities which compliment Aberdeen’s Winter Festival.

“I am delighted to see the ice rink return as it was such a huge success last year. Aberdeen City Council is delighted to lend its support.”

The ice rink is the main highlight of a comprehensive programme of events by Aberdeen Inspired, with a line-up of festive films at the Belmont Filmhouse, alongside a range of activities to be run in tandem with the rink in Union Terrace Gardens all being made available for those visiting the city centre and BID zone throughout December.

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 and driving footfall to the zone.

For further information on the work of Aberdeen Inspired visit www.aberdeeninspired.com

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Christmas Is Music Ti Ma Lugs

Creative Writing, Opinion No Responses »

Nov 282014

By Bob Smith.

Christmas means a lot o things
Ti some it is present buyin
Ti ither fowk a time o hope
Ti the lonely it can bi tryin

“Gweed King Wenceslas leuk’t oot”
An aa the malls war heavin
Fowk rinnin aboot like reid ersed bees
Fae bank balances cash wis leavin

Christmas time I like it fine
If aa ignore the retail farce
Fin some drink ower the score
An lan up on their arse

Christmas means bonnie music
Na nae the ringin o the tills
Bit brass bands an joyfu singin
As choirs show aff their skills

On the wireless tunes are played
Ti ma lugs es brings great joy
They bring oot aa the classics
A’ve kent sin a wis a boy

Christmas shud be a time o peace
As wi leuk up ti the stars
If onybody’s up ‘ere leukin doon
Aa they’ll see is bliddy wars

An yet in the midst o the Great War
Ae Christmas ‘ere wis brief respite
Fin Tommies an Jerries played fitba
An baith sides sang “Silent Night”

© Bob Smith “The Poetry Mannie” 2014
Picture Credit: Ian Britton. Freefoto.com
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Aberdeen’s World Record Ambition Scares Off Competition

Aberdeen City, Articles, Featured No Responses »

Nov 282014

With thanks to Stevie Brown, Account Manager, Tricker PR

Caroline Will and Chloe Kermoal pull a Christmas Cracker

An ambitious world record attempt to be staged in Aberdeen has scared an English town into postponing their challenge of the same record until after the Granite City has attempted the feat.
Wellington, in Somerset, England, had planned to break the world record for the longest Christmas Cracker pulling chain on Saturday 22 November during their Christmas light switch on parade.

However, the organisers cancelled their attempt when they discovered Aberdeen has set itself a more ambitious target to break the same record on Saturday 6th December.

Organisers of the Wellington attempt plan to wait and see how the Aberdeen event fairs in setting a new record. A spokesperson from the Wellington organising team said:

“This decision was not made lightly but rest assured it is a postponement.”

Wellington has tried to break the world cracker pulling record three times and will now launch their challenge for the longest Christmas Cracker chain on 20 December at AFC Telford, more than two weeks after Aberdeen’s attempt which takes place in the Bon Accord Shopping centre at 1pm on Saturday 6 December.

The event in the Granite City is being staged by VisitAberdeen as part of a drive to promote the city for festive breaks, and VisitAberdeen is appealing for cracker pullers to turn out in force to smash the current world record which stands at 749 set by Brindleyplace, Birmingham. The human chain of simultaneous cracker snappers will take place in the Bon Accord Centre atrium, with registration beginning at 12pm and the countdown to the ‘big bang’ taking place at 1pm.

Steve Harris, Chief Executive of VisitAberdeen, says:

“When we started planning the Christmas Cracker world record attempt at the start of the summer we had no idea that anyone else was also vying to set a new record – all we knew was 749 was the number we needed to beat to get in the record books.

“When we heard that Wellington were also going for the record I was excited – it makes it an even bigger challenge, and I think some friendly competition is good. I wish Wellington good luck in their attempt, and it means that we will have to pull out all the stops here in Aberdeen – I have no doubt that the people of Aberdeen will rally together to help put the region on the map as the new world record holders.”

People who would like to take part in the record attempt are invited to follow the event on Facebook and Twitter and can keep up to date with the record attempt at facebook.com/crackerrecord and on @CrackerRecord.

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Glen Tanar Estate To Open Christmas Pop-up Shop

Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

Nov 282014

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

Glen Tanar Estate is offering the perfect antidote to crowded shopping malls in the run-up to Christmas. The estate near Aboyne on Royal Deeside is about to open the doors on a festive pop-up shop – its first retail venture.

The pop-up shop will open on Monday, December 1 in a recently renovated building close to the estate office.

As well as selling freshly cut trees and holly wreaths, the venue will stock the brand new limited edition range of exclusive Glen Tanar tweed accessories.

Claire Bruce, owner of Glen Tanar Estate, says,

“We have been selling Christmas trees on the estate for many years, and over the last two Christmas seasons we have also sold our own range of homemade jams and chutney from the small store at our nursery.

“We saw the potential to do something a little bit different and expand what we could offer by selling items produced by or linked to the estate. The pop-up shop will be open right up until Christmas, and we hope that customers will enjoy the experience of shopping somewhere intimate and unique.”

Jams, chutneys and biscuits have been produced by Glen Tanar chef Liz Peck, while the accessories, including handbags, purses and table placemats have been created by textile designer Araminta Campbell using the tweed she designed exclusively for the estate.

Other items on sale include CDs produced by traditional musicians Adian O’Rouke and Fraser Fifield– both of whom have performed at Glen Tanar as part of Deeside’s Food and Fiddle and Atomic Doric projects.

There will also be a range of homeware products and cards from Hipster Spinster, run by Victoria Fifield, daughter of Glen Tanar’s head forester, Mike Fifield. Some of the items will also available to buy from the new retail section on the Glen Tanar website.

Claire adds,

“We are only open for a short time, so we felt it was important that everyone could have the chance to experience retail therapy at Glen Tanar. The online shop will continue to operate after the Christmas period.”

The pop-up shop opens on Monday, December 1 through to Monday, December 22 from 9am to 4pm, seven days a week. The shop area will be utilised as a small meeting space in the new year.

Glen Tanar Estate is set in the heart of Royal Deeside in the Cairngorms National Park and offers a wealth of activities and attractions from fishing and walking to adventuring on estate safaris. Glen Tanar Estate’s grand ballroom is also available to hire for functions, including corporate events, weddings and conferences and the estate has a number of self-catering holiday cottages. For more information visit www.glentanar.co.uk

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£30,000 Winter Warmer For Children In Poverty.

Aberdeenshire, Featured, Information No Responses »

Nov 282014

With thanks to Beverly Tricker.

Children living in poverty will be wrapped up for warmth this winter thanks to a £30,000 donation from Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation.

The sum matches the entire sum required for the Coats for Kids winter 2014 appeal and will ensure that 300 children living in poverty in Aberdeen can be kitted out with cosy seasonal clothing.

It also represents the largest single donation to be made from Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation to date.

Last year Cash for Kids saw a huge increase in applications for essential clothing for children living in poverty in the Aberdeen area. Many local families have to choose between buying food, heating their home and purchasing essential clothing.

A deal has been agreed with a national retailer that £100 will fund a winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves, jumper, trousers, socks and shoes. It means that these children won’t have to go to school without suitable warm clothing.

All children helped will be identified via support workers, groups and organisations who work closely with families that are struggling financially.

Emma Kemp from Cash for Kids says,

“We are grateful to receive the support of Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation. Their donation means that we can begin helping families right away, before the weather gets any colder.

“The North-east might be regarded as an area of wealth, but poverty is a very real issue for many families. One in six children in the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire area is living in poverty. Statistics also show us that the rate of poverty in our area has gone up by 22% in the last 12 months.”

Dominic Kite, representing Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation says,

“Helping local communities is an important strategic aim of our Charitable Foundation. Cash for Kids gets to the heart of communities, identifying and responding to the needs of children in local areas.”

The Aberdeen Asset Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. In Aberdeen, donations have been made to several local charities including sums of £10,000 each to Cash for Kids, to fund a breakfast club for 12 months, to Friends of ANCHOR for the Gene Machine appeal and £25,000 to the ARCHIE for Skype technology at Aberdeen Royal Children’s Hospital.

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Choir Of Davids Required For Festive World Record

Aberdeen City, Articles, Featured No Responses »

Nov 072014

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

Dozens of Davids are required for an encore performance to break a world record in Aberdeen.
Davids, Daves and Davies from across the north east are being sought to join the Choir of Davids at the Castlegate in Aberdeen on Sunday 23 November 2014 at 3pm.

The massed Choir of Davids will sing the Christmas carol ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ in an attempt to top the 121 tuneful singers gathered last year in an attempt to create the largest choir sharing the same name.

VisitAberdeen, the destination management organisation behind the Choir of Davids, was impressed with last year’s turnout but is convinced that Aberdeen has more to offer.

Although not officially recognised by Guinness World Records due to the topic being too narrow, organisers believe that the 2014 Choir of Davids was the biggest gathering of Davids in the world all signing ‘Once in Royal David’s City’.

Davids are being encouraged to spread the word via Twitter and Facebook, sharing photos of themselves holding signs proudly stating “I am David!” and using the hashtag #areyoudavid in the run up to the event.

Steve Harris, Chief Executive of VisitAberdeen, says:

“We were thrilled to have so many Davids turn up to support our record attempt last year and hope to top the number this year with a melodic encore. Everyone’s got a friend called Dave, and we hope to hear all of them singing their hearts out at the Castlegate. We encourage all Davids to Tweet and Facebook their intention to take part in order to spread the word.

“Aberdeen’s festive celebrations fill the city with Christmas cheer every November and December, and we’re delighted to be a part of this again. The Christmas Lights Switch On Parade follow will follow our world record attempt at 5pm on Union Street, meaning the city centre will be buzzing with festive cheer.

“With great Christmas shopping opportunities and a full programme of events in the Winter Festival, we’re encouraging more people to consider the city for a festive break.”

The event is not limited to those bearing the name David, and VisitAberdeen encourages everyone to come and support the magnificent Choir of Davids which is guaranteed to get the festive season off to a great start.

The carol ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ was written and published by Miss Cecil Humphreys in 1848 as a poem, before being set to music a year later. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Kings College in Cambridge, which is broadcast annually, traditionally begins with a boy chorister singing the first verse of the carol solo.

Keep up to date with Aberdeen’s record attempt by visiting the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/areyoudavid or follow the event on Twitter www.twitter.com/areyoudavid2014 using the hashtag #areyoudavid

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The Present Time

Creative Writing, Featured, Opinion No Responses »

Dec 132013

By Bob Smith.

Foo muckle siller wull ye spend
On pressies fer yer freens ?
Or some fer aa the faimily
Be they auld or in their teens
.
A new name fer Christmas
“The Retail Festival” it is ca’ed
Fin thingies they git oot o han
An aa bugger gyaangs fair mad
.
Noo a’m nae Scrooge –far fae it
Bit a wid fair draw the line
At gittin awa intae debt
Afore singin “Auld Lang Syne”.
.
A’m aa fer gien a wee present
Tae faimily or fowk lang kent
Some fowk tho’ dinna hae a clue
Aboot foo muckle they hiv spent

A freen o mine he’s renegin
He says he’s seen the licht
An disna gie twa hoots
If fowk noo think him ticht
.
He’s nae gien ony mair
Presents he classes “stuff”
He’ll buy a wee bottle o booze
Or maybe a sma plum duff
.
He says it’s far mair practical
As he kens jist fa likes fit
Instead o maybe hannin ower
Fit fowk micht class as shit
.
Only costs him haaf the price
O things he wid normally gie
An he winna hae tae worry
Fae debt he wull bide free

©Bob Smith “The Poetry Mannie” 2013
Image credit: Ian Britton – http://s3.freefoto.com/images/
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Black Friday

Creative Writing, Opinion No Responses »

Dec 062013

By Bob Smith.

Black Friday noo it wis nae fun
A puir wifie trumpled on the grun
Fowk ower TV sets war scrappin
Cos in shops the price wis drappin
.
Black an blue they jostl’t an bumped
Some fowk feart they micht git thumped
Aa ower prices bein slashed richt doon
Mayhem an madness wis aa aroon
.
Black Friday hordes formed a scrum
As common sinse wint up the lum
“Tak yer thievin hans aff aat TV set
Or a bunch o fives ye’ll bliddy get”
.
The Black Friday idea it did start
Ower in America wi yon Walmart
Halloween sees pumpkins instead o neeps
Anither American custom ower here creeps
.
Civilisation a mannie eence said
Wis barbarism wi a veneer owerspread
Unnerneath micht be the savage beast
Unleashed tae gorge on Mammon’s feast

We’ve noo cam tae “The Retail Season”
Far fowk it seems can lose aa reason
Spennin siller they simply hinna got
An ither eens fair lose the plot
.
The festive season a like itsel
Bit nae the bliddy shoppin hell
On Christmas Day a’ll raise a cheer
“Retail Season’s” ower fer anither eer
.
A “Black Friday” cam tae Glaisga toon
Fin a helicopter cam richt doon
Throwe a pub roof near the Clyde
Fin fowk war haen a drink inside
.
So spare a thocht fer Glaisga noo
An fer the helicopter crew
Fer TV sets they’ll hae nae need
As “Black Friday” saw the puir souls deid
.
Agin ess sad an tragic tale
Materialism an sic like maan pale
Next time yer spennin yer bawbees
Myn life it disna growe on trees

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