Leisure Archives - Page 11 of 13

Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards Return

Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Featured, Information No Responses »

Jul 042014

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

An awards scheme that recognises exceptional tourism operators in the North East is returning for a second year, with even more opportunities to win.
The number of categories in the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards (ACSTA) has been increased to 14 from 12 and the categories have been aligned to the national industry scheme, the Scottish Thistle Awards.

Awards organiser Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association (ACSHA) is appealing to businesses and individuals to enter and show how they do their bit to ensure visitors return home with fond memories of their time in the region.

ACSTA chairman Iain Watson says he hopes operators will respond to the call for entries. He adds:

“The number of entrants to the inaugural awards last year took us all by surprise, as did the quality of the entries received.

“It left us in no doubt that there are some truly exceptional businesses and individuals making positive differences to the quality of the visitor experience, and that we should be doing all we can to encourage them and other like-minded operators.

“Many of those who won and who were shortlisted across the various categories earlier this year are already telling us that the exposure and endorsement has had a positive impact on their business. I would urge everyone to go online and visit the awards website: there are categories recognising everything from hotels and guest houses, to bars and festivals.

“We have aligned many of our categories to the Scottish Thistle Awards and it is our intention that ACSTA will become the North East regional heat of this national scheme by 2016.”

Entries for ACSTA are now open at www.acsta.co.uk and will close on September 16. Three entries will be shortlisted for each category and the winners will be announced at a ceremony at Mercure Ardoe House in Aberdeen on January 30, 2015.

The full list of awards categories is:

Most Hospitable Hotel
Most Hospitable B&B/Guest House
Best Holiday Accommodation
Best Informal Eating Experience
Best Restaurant Experience
Friendliest Pub/Bar
Best Event or Festival
Our Warmest Welcome (customer service award)
Best Visitor Attraction
Creative Ambition
Young Ambassador Award
Ambassador
Community Involvement
Green Tourism

A lifetime achievement award may also be presented at the discretion of the awards organising committee. Further information about the entry requirements for each category is available at www.acsta.co.uk

Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association represents 46 independently-operated hotels and conference venues. These hotels provide around 4,000 bedrooms in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The Association is committed to improving the quality and standard of hotel services and to furthering the overall standards of excellence and hospitality within the region.

‘Big Stuff Rides’ At GTM Thursday 10th July 2pm – 4pm

Aberdeenshire, Events, Featured No Responses »

Jul 042014

The Grampian Transport Museum in Alford is preparing to host its first Rides session of the School summer holidays when representatives from the world of commercial vehicles take to the circuit on Thursday 10th July.

‘Big Stuff Rides’ will give museum visitors the chance to jump in the passenger seats of some interesting and unusual commercial vehicles – including vintage buses from the Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Trust, recovery vehicles from S.S Walker in Aberdeen and a 1975 Commer Fire Engine which is privately owned by an enthusiast from Aultmore, near Keith.

These ‘rides’ sessions are unique to the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford and offer museum visitors the chance to take to the passenger seat and enjoy laps around the dedicated road circuit at no additional cost, being included in the museums standard admission.

Curator, Mike Ward, is looking forward to summer at the museum.

“It’s always a great feeling when we reach the summer season. Our unique events programme gets into full swing with events just like these ‘rides’ sessions, which are always popular with families and youngsters.

“July and August are among our busiest months and once the Big Stuff event has passed we still have the Classic & Vintage Gathering and Fast Car Rides events to look forward to before the end of the July!”

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Help for Heroes Go Wild with ‘Wild things!’

Aberdeenshire, Events No Responses »

Jun 272014

With thanks to Jennifer Kelly.

This July, Help for Heroes Recovery Centre, Tedworth House in Wiltshire, will welcome environmental education charity Wild things! as they run a nationally accredited training programme for wounded, injured and sick serving and veteran members of the Armed Forces.

The course was developed by Wild things! founder and executive director, Jennie Martin in consultation with staff from the University of the Highlands and Islands, and the John Muir Awards scheme.

The Woodland Activity Leader Training programme is a nationally accredited qualification that gives participants the confidence, skills and qualifications to teach environmental education and Bushcraft skills to others. It is also a wonderful opportunity to learn outdoors in a natural environment for the wounded, injured and sick service personnel.

In their first collaboration with the nationwide charity, Wild things! will deliver the six day Woodland Activity Leader Training programme to 10 participants through Help for Heroes.

Tedworth House is one of four Recovery Centres run by Help for Heroes, which aims to inspire the wounded, injured and sick and returning veterans to lead active, independent and fulfilling lives, which will enable them to reach their full potential and to support them and their families for life.

It is a place of opportunities providing education, training, sport and adventure in a relaxed, understanding and caring environment. State of the art facilities and dedicated staff aid the road to recovery.

Tedworth House Centre Manager Giles Woodhouse comments:

“The Woodland Activity Leader Training will be incredibly beneficial for the wounded, injured and sick individuals taking part. This kind of training opens doors to new interests and opportunities that those we support may not have considered before. We are truly excited about the opportunity to work with Wild Things!”

Based in the idyllic conservation village of Findhorn in the North East of Scotland, Wild things! offer a variety of inspiring wilderness and nature experiences for all ages and abilities, regardless of learning, physical and financial challenges.

Charity founder Jennie Martin says,

“We are delighted to be able to offer this exciting course to such an worthwhile organisation as Help for Heroes. Our Woodland Activity Leader Training is jammed packed with information and experiences that leave our participants skilled up, confident and excited to lead adventures in our fantastic UK woodlands.”

Info re. Help for heroes –

Help for Heroes offers comprehensive support to those who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses whilst serving our country. This is provided through grants to individuals, other Service charities, capital build projects and our four Recovery Centres across the UK which will offer support for life.

The money raised by the hugely generous public has been used to support our wounded, but there is still so much more to do. Soldiers, sailors and airmen who are injured today will still need our support tomorrow and in the days that follow, for the rest of their lives. They are still battling and we won’t let them battle alone.

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Local MP Opens New Peterhead Art Gallery

Articles, Information, News No Responses »

Jun 132014

Local artist Elinor Grieve, gallery owner Melissa Arcaro and local MP Eilidh Whiteford.

Eilidh Whiteford, MP for Banff and Buchan, joined Melissa Arcaro at the weekend to cut the ribbon on Arcaro’s expanded Peterhead arts project. With thanks to Paul Robertson.

Arcaro Arts, which previously stood on Kirk Street, has expanded into enlarged premises opposite Morrison’s on Queen Street.

The gallery is set to continue its work in providing an artistic space for local groups, as well as hosting exhibitions and other arts events.

Cutting the ribbon on the new gallery, which hosted an exhibition from self-taught wildlife artist Elinor Grieve on its opening day, MP Eilidh Whiteford commented:

“I am delighted to be able to declare Arcaro Arts’ expanded premises open for business. The new gallery is a fantastic venue in a great location. It will breathe new life into the town centre of Peterhead and offers great opportunities to local artists to exhibit their work and my congratulations and best wishes for the future go to Melissa and the team.”

Melissa Arcaro, who heads the gallery, commented:

“The fact that we have had to expand into larger premises shows what a real appetite there is for this kind of amenity in Peterhead. The stunning new venue is also well-placed to benefit from increased footfall. As well as continuing our arts work with local groups, the new venue will act as a showcase for talented local artists.”

The gallery, on Balmoor Terrace, is open 10am-4pm from Monday to Saturday and 12pm-3pm on Sundays.

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Diorama Of Great Train Robbery Arrives At Alford

Aberdeenshire, History No Responses »

Jun 132014

Show stopping Model completes Great Train Robbery Exhibit. With thanks to Martyn Smith, Marketing & Events Organise

Scale model of the scene at the Bridego Railway Bridge, Ledburn

A new arrival to the collection at the Grampian Transport Museum has completed the line up of a topical new exhibition on the events of the Great Train Robbery.
Still billed as the ‘crime of the century’ the events which took place in the early hours of 8th Aug 1963 were only ever photographed in the hours after, when the authorities arrived to begin their investigation.

The Son et Lumiere model, which is now on show at the museum, is an absolutely accurate scale model of the scene at the Bridego Railway Bridge, Ledburn.

Recently built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the infamous raid, it is on loan from the Luton Model Railway Club until the end of August and helps to bring together the first serious exhibition of its kind on the subject.

Having already reunited two of the actual vehicles used in the raid, Curator Mike Ward is delighted to have secured the Diorama.

“It’s great to have this show-stopping model as part of our Great Train Robbery exhibition. This has been painstakingly built, from scratch, working from the Police photographs which were taken in the hours after the raid – the only visual record of the scene of the crime which was captured.

“There was a lot of mis-information reported following the incident and the Luton Model Railway Club have done a fantastic job of peeling back the layers to get to the truth and recreate the scene of the crime. We’re very grateful to the Luton Club for allowing us to borrow the model until August. It really does put the finishing touches to our exhibition!”

Along with the Diorama, Grampian Transport Museum was also to locate and secure on loan the actual Austin Loadstar truck which was used to flee the scene of the crime with the loot. An ex army Land Rover Series 1 was also tracked down and is also on display until the end of August.

GTM Classic And Vintage Gathering: Entries Sought

Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

May 232014

Grampian Transport Museum is accepting entries for its Classic and Vintage Afternoon Gathering 2014. With thanks to Martyn Smith, Marketing and Events Organiser, Grampian Transport Museum.

The Grampian Transport Museum is now accepting entries for its annual Classic and Vintage Afternoon Gathering on Sunday 20th July.
A traditional, relaxed meeting for owners of all pre-1990 cars, commercials and motorcycles, the gathering represents an excellent opportunity for enthusiasts to meet and display their cherished classic.

The event is also open to museum visitors as part of the standard admission price.

Pre-booked entry for car owners is £10; this is a donation which will be used to fund educational visits to the Grampian Transport Museum for local schools. Included in the price are admission to the museum itself and light refreshments – tremendous value considering the standard admission rate of £9.50 or £7.50 concessions.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the museum website at www.gtm.org.uk and should be completed and returned by Monday 7^th July.

The Grampian Transport Museum features a number of exciting and exclusive additions for 2014, including a Great Train Robbery exhibit – featuring real vehicles used in the raid – and a multi-million pound HGV simulator. The event is sure to add another dimension to the museum experience for visitors.

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Walkers Raise over £5,000 for Leukaemia Charity

Aberdeen City, Featured, News No Responses »

May 232014

By Suzanne Kelly.

Over 70 people and their pet pooches set out on a pleasant sponsored walk in Hazelhead Park on Sunday 18 May.

When they completed their 5km journey, they had raised some £5,500 for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

Pauline MacRonald, one of the organisers commented:

“The Aberdeen Fundraising Group is a new branch of LLR in the North East, and this was our first major event. We got a really great turn out, and it was fantastic to see so many two legged and four legged supporters for the charity. Our main aim is to raise as much awareness as possible, so we’ll definitely be doing it again.”

Walkers were sponsored by friends, relatives and co-workers to complete the 5km walk through Hazelhead Park. The gentle exercise culminated with participants receiving a medal and goodie bag, and relaxing at the park’s cafe with cold drinks.

One man, Neil, had only been out of stem cell and chemotherapy treatment for 6 weeks when he went on the walk; his story and his effort inspired many of us. The dogs were all well behaved, with the exception of one adorable but cheeky golden retriever, Whisky, which jumped in every muddy puddle it could find.

Another of the organisers, Emma Boffey commented:

“I would just like to thank everyone who took part to raise vital funds to beat blood cancers. It was a great day, superb weather and the dogs for our paws to beat blood cancer also had a splendid time! At Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research we believe that life is a gift to be used wisely and lived fiercely and we won’t stop until we have beaten blood cancer.”

Some people spent weeks raising funds; some heard about the event and just came along.

One woman named Frances was visiting the area and only heard of the walk on the day; she said how much she enjoyed this kind of community event.

Walkers James and Anne Yule (pictured top right) enjoyed a well-deserved sit down after completing the walk.

James said:

“I thoroughly enjoyed it; it’s a great cause and I hope they raise heaps and heaps of money.”

For a first event for this new local group, the day was a huge success.

Join the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research community Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Your contribution really will make a difference to the lives of the 30,000 people diagnosed every year with a blood cancer. beatingbloodcancers.org.uk

Read more:

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Your contribution really will make a difference to the lives of the 30,000 people diagnosed every year with a blood cancer. beatingbloodcancers.org.uk www.beatingbloodcancers.org.uk info@beatingbloodcancers.org.uk

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Bon Accord Baths Campaign Picks Up Steam

Aberdeen City, Community, Featured No Responses »

May 232014

By Suzanne Kelly.

With local councillors from all parties supporting the move to reopen Bon Accord Baths, surely the thousands who want them reopened will prevail. The BBC was on hand recently for a photo call. Despite having a very small window of time to get supporters to the baths on a work day, Craig Adams, leading the Bon Accord Campaign, got nearly 100 people down on the day to show their support.

As well as the BBC, STV and Northsound were on hand, looking for photos and quotes. Aberdeen Voice spoke to one of the many supporters on the day, Kate Urbaniak, and her partner.

Kate said:

“It’s a shame about how things are going on here; look at St Nicholas House. I learned how to swim in these baths, and if there is a chance they could be put to good use, then they should be. I used to come here, my family would come here, and people used to come here and have baths if they didn’t have baths at home. It’s a great building, and I’ve never been in nicer baths.”

Mr Urbaniak talked about the carbon footprint of the people who would be driving to the large new pool and how convenient the bon accord baths were for transport.

There are many reasons for opening this much-loved city centre recreation opportunity; for more information look here. https://www.facebook.com/savebonaccordbaths Many skills will be needed to get the project going; see how you can help.

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Record Opening Quarter For City Park

Aberdeen City, News 1 Response »

May 012014

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

One of the north east’s most popular visitor attractions has attracted record numbers of visitors for the opening quarter of the current year, in its first full year following major restoration work.

Aberdeen’s Duthie Park welcomed more than 100,000 visitors during March, a rise of over 20,000 when compared to 2012 and over 40,000 more than the corresponding month last year.

Tony Dawson, Chairman of the Friends of Duthie Park, believes the increased numbers reflect the positive feedback received since the £5.2 million revamp.

“The park is a real jewel in the crown within, not just the north east, but the whole of the country, and after seeing more than a million visitors last year, the signs are that we’re in for even better numbers this time round.

“Everyone who visits the park cannot fail to be impressed by the way it is looking right now and I must pay tribute to the staff there who take such a pride in ensuring a visit to Duthie Park is a fantastic experience. With such a variety of attractions, including the pedalos, Spike the talking cactus and the magnificent David Welch Winter Gardens, the park has something for all age groups.”

The Duthie Park is one of the most popular parks in Scotland, with over half a million visitors every year. It was bequeathed to the city by Miss Elizabeth Crombie Duthie in remembrance of her brother and uncle and was opened in 1883 by Princess Beatrix.

Its historical significance as one of the finest examples of a late Victorian public park has led to its inclusion in Historic Scotland’s Inventory of Designed Landscapes and Gardens. The recent restoration and reconstruction of some of the lost features was inspired by old written and photographic sources and was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Aberdeen City Council.

The official reopening of Duthie Park took place on 30th June last year. This year’s Friends of Duthie Park Open Day will be on Sunday 17th August.

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Friends Of Duthie Park Gardening Session This Sunday

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Apr 252014

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

The next Friends of Duthie Park gardening session will take place in Duthie Park on Sunday 27th April from 12 noon to 2pm. Friends and volunteers will be planting daffodil bulbs that were used for early spring displays in the David Welch Winter Gardens to give added colour next spring in the park.

Existing members and any potential new members who wish to take part are requested to meet at the entrance to the David Welch Winter Gardens at 12 noon.

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