Sponsor Announced For Duthie Park Open Day 17 August

 Aberdeen City, Articles, Featured, Information  No Responses »
Aug 072014
 

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With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

The Friends of Duthie Park have announced that they have secured a sponsor for this month’s Open Day (Sunday 17th August), ensuring that the 2014 event, now in its fourth year, will be the biggest and most successful yet.

Locally based global fabrication company A-FAB (www.afab.co.uk) is providing financial support for the event, which takes place on Sunday 17th August from noon until 4 p.m..

Friends Chairman Tony Dawson believes the partnership underlines the affection that everyone within the area has for what is one of the country’s leading tourist attractions. Tony said:

“It’s fantastic that A-FAB is the latest prestigious name from the private sector that recognises what a jewel in the crown Duthie Park is and, thanks to A-FAB’s support, it promises to be another wonderful occasion a week on Sunday.

“I would also like to acknowledge the excellent work that Harvey Smith and the team at H-events have done in helping the Friends work closely with the private sector over the last few months.”

A-FAB director Marlene Mitchell added.

“Duthie Park has always been a favourite place for most people in the north east but after the recent restoration work, it really is stunning. The Friends do a great job in maintaining the profile of the park and working closely with Aberdeen City Council to make sure improvements are ongoing and at A-FAB we are proud to be able to assist with what is now an established event for all of the family.”

Among the attractions at this year’s FODP Open Day (www.friendsofduthiepark.co.uk), are

  • The Bon Accord Silver Band,
  • piper Calum Lawrie,
  • Bokwa with Jodie,
  • Zumba & powerhoops with Elma,
  • The Sharon Gill School of Dancing,
  • Wrestlezone Scotland,
  • The Airyhall Dancers,
  • AFC in the Community,
  • British Military Fitness,
  • First Aberdeen vintage vehicles,
  • various kiddies’ rides, the canoes and the pedalos,
  • and not forgetting Spike the Talking Cactus.

 

Open Call Auditions For Would-Be Talking Cacti

 Aberdeen City, News  No Responses »
Apr 102012
 

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With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

Would-be volunteers to provide the voice of ‘Spike’ the Talking Cactus are reminded that they can have a trial run at a ‘Spike-off’ this Sunday afternoon at the David Welch Winter Gardens.
Duthie Park Facilities Manager Alan Findlay is looking forward to what will be a fun event that will hopefully alleviate a potential problem:

“While we do have a small number of people who can be Spike, we really do need more as otherwise, there are a lot of disappointed people, and not just children, when he is not on display!”

“That’s why we are holding auditions within the Winter Gardens this weekend, complete with our own panel of ‘expert’ judges. It is all a bit of fun though and I would anticipate anyone who comes along will get the thumbs up from the panel!

“Anyone who fancies a shot of being Spike is asked to be at the Duthie Park Winter Gardens at 2 pm on Sunday 15th and, depending on the interest and numbers, will each get a few minutes to convince the judges that they are worthy of such an esteemed position.

“And I would encourage those not keen on taking part to come down and give their backing as I’m sure it’ll be a real fun occasion. It is also an opportunity to come down to see the progress being made on the Park restoration project which started last month.”

Friends Of Duthie Park – Free Membership Offer

 Aberdeen City, Articles, Community, Information  No Responses »
Dec 162011
 

With thanks to Dave Macdermid and  Friends of Duthie Park.

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Anyone wishing to join the Friends of Duthie Park can do so at no cost until the end of this month, after which Family Membership will be available for £5 per annum and Senior Citizens at £2 per annum.

Anyone wishing to join should contact: info@friendsofduthiepark.co.uk

This month’s Christmas Carol Concert will take place on Saturday 24th December,  with two performances, at 11 am and 2 pm.

Following the ‘Friends’ successful Inaugural Open Day in the summer, next year’s event has been confirmed for Sunday 19th August. 

Friends Of Union Terrace Gardens Annual General Meeting

 Aberdeen City, Articles, Community, Environment, Featured, Information, News, Opinion  No Responses »
Oct 072011
 

The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Union Terrace Gardens was held at the Aberdeen Arts Centre on Saturday 1st October with over a hundred members present.  FoUTG Chairman Mike Shepherd reports.

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The Friends group was set up last years with the aim of campaigning to save the gardens from development and currently has over 700 members.

Two major decisions were approved by the members present.
The Friends now fully support the idea of the proposed referendum currently being investigated by Aberdeen Council.

The suggested referendum would be a vote between a final design for the City Garden Project and a sympathetically restored Union Terrace Gardens.

The group is totally confident of winning any referendum.

The Friends also reaffirmed the aim of taking over the stewardship of Union Terrace Gardens once the City Garden Project is out of the way. We would act in a similar role as the Friends of Duthie Park, who have been very successful in getting funds to restore the Victorian park. Providing toilets, easier access and a play park were some of the options discussed at the meeting.

This was a very positive meeting, and the members are confident that we will save the park. The design competition is not seen as a serious threat, as we trust our fellow citizens to recognise the stupidity of building a modern city square in the middle of a city full of old and beautiful granite buildings.

When we discussed the referendum, the shout was ‘bring it on, we will win.’ The enthusiasm and determination to win through and to restore of our much-loved gardens as a fully-functioning
park was evident.

We are a group that cares deeply about Aberdeen’s wonderful heritage and a community-led force for the greater good of our beautiful city.