Park Archives - Page 2 of 9

Photography Contest Showcases The Best Of Strichen

Mar 272015

Eilidh Whiteford Strichen Park Photography Contest

Eilidh Whiteford at Strichen Community Park with (from l to r) runner-up Lee-ann McLean, winner Debbie Breese and contest organiser Arthur Will.

With thanks to Paul Robertson.

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford was on hand at the weekend to present prizes to the winners of a special photography contest.

Strichen Community Park challenged amateur photographers to snap the park looking at its best. The contest was a runaway success with visitors from as far afield as Australia submitting photographs via the Park’s Facebook page.

Over 100 entries were submitted and on Saturday at the Park, the winners were revealed as Debbie Breese from New Aberdour for 1st and 3rd prizes, with Lee-ann McLean of Inverallochy scooping 2nd prize.

Eilidh Whiteford, who presented the prizes to the lucky winners, commented:

“The Strichen Community Park is one of the real beauty spots in Banff & Buchan and has been increasingly popular in recent years.”

“There were some beautiful shots of the Park through all the seasons and the winning entries were really quite special. What a fantastic advert for the Park and for the North-east.”

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

Friends Of Duthie Park Seek Additional Committee Members

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Feb 272015

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

This year’s Friends of Duthie Park Annual General Meeting will be held within the sunken area of the David Welch Winter Gardens on Tuesday (3rd March) at 7 pm.

The AGM is open to members and non-members and those present will be treated to a presentation updating activity within the park over the past twelve months in addition to sponsorship opportunities available for local businesses.

The Friends of Duthie Park is also looking for additional committee members who would be willing to assist with the group’s work.

Anyone interested who cannot attend next week’s meeting can contact info@friendsofduthiepark.co.uk

Free Attractions At Duthie Park Open Day

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Aug 152014

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

Organisers of this weekend’s Friends of Duthie Park Open Day, sponsored by A-FAB, have been boosted with the news that Clydelink, the company that operates pedalos and canoes on behalf of Aberdeen City Council, is offering the attractions for free during the course of Sunday’s event.

Tony Dawson, Chairman of the Friends, believes the gesture will all but guarantee that last year’s attendance figure of just over 6,000 will be surpassed this time round.

“When the pedalos were reintroduced last summer, demand was fantastic and the fact that, along with the canoes, they will be free for the duration of our open day. We will also be offering rickshaw rides round the park I’m sure they will also be extremely popular.

“The park is looking stunning right now and, with so much going on this Sunday, all we need now is the weather to make it another day to remember.”

Among the other attractions at this year’s FODP Open Day (www.friendsofduthiepark.co.uk), which runs from noon until 4 pm on Sunday (17th August), 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 one and only, Spike the Talking Cactus.

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

[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.]

Duthie Park Hosts La Boheme

Aberdeen City, Articles, Featured No Responses »

Jul 182014

Over five thousand Aberdonians packed the city’s Duthie Park for a free screening of The Royal Opera’s production of Puccini’s opera La Bohème last Tuesday evening. By Duncan Harley.

Sponsored via a partnership between The Royal Opera House, BP Big Screen and eighteen other UK councils, Aberdeen was fortunate indeed to have been chosen as the sole Scottish venue for the event, which involved simultaneous screenings of a live performance at the Royal Opera House in Westminster’s Covent Garden.

With ticket prices at the London venue averaging around £140 per head, the ‘bring your own seat’, free outdoor event proved to be a resounding success, both entertainment- and weather-wise.

A timeless, potent and heartbreaking tale, Puccini’s La Bohème was first performed in Turin in 1896, just thirteen years after the 44-acre Duthie Park was laid out.

Based on a collection of vignettes penned by Henri Murger and depicting Bohemian life in the Latin Quarter of mid-19th Century Paris, the storyline describes the love and lives of the main characters, Mimi and Rodolfo.

Although performed by The Royal Opera Company as far back as 1897, this week’s production dates from 1974 and has John Copley directing, with Cornelius Meister conducting. The role of the poet Rodolfo was performed by Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo with Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu as the doomed seamstress Mimi.

Sadly, Aberdeen will not be hosting the September offering from the BP Big Screen, and so those wishing to enjoy Verdi’s Rigoletto on September 17th will need to nip over the border to the likes of Plymouth or Bristol, before speeding back the next day in good time to cast their vote in the referendum.

As an alternative, Scottish Opera will be touring with Rossini’s comedy La Cenerentola at the end of the year, with live performances in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen.

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

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.”

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.

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

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.

Energy Staff Go Green at City Park

Aberdeen City, Environment No Responses »

Apr 042014

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

Left to right: BP employees Lindsay Smith, Bridget Phimister, Tim Smith, Linda Hodgson. Newsline Media limited.

Staff from energy giant BP have been hard at work in Aberdeen’s Duthie Park, planting hundreds of new Pony Park trees as part of their support for the Friends of Duthie Park.

BP is an enthusiastic supporter of Duthie Park and, in addition to purchasing trees on behalf of the ’Friends’, sponsored last year’s annual Christmas Concert, staged within the Winter Gardens.

Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications & External Affairs at BP, said:

“We are delighted to be able to support the great work both Aberdeen City Council and the Friends of Duthie Park are doing to restore the park to its former glory. In time, the trees we have sponsored and planted will make a real difference to visitors’ experience of this area of the park.”

Chairman of the Friends of Duthie Park Tony Dawson added:

“The support we receive from BP and others from within the private sector is really appreciated and makes a substantial difference within the park, which last year recorded record visitor numbers. Thanks to the efforts of BP and our other partners, I am confident visitor numbers will continue to increase going forward.”

The trees planted by BP staff included Oak, Scots Pine, Beech, Birch, Larch and Willow, all of which are native to Scotland.

Further information can be found at www.friendsofduthiepark.co.uk

Friends Of Duthie Park AGM – 04.03.14

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Feb 282014

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

This year’s Friends of Duthie Park Annual General Meeting will be held within the sunken area of the David Welch Winter Gardens on Tuesday evening (4^th March) at 7 pm.

On the same day, the organisation will unveil its brand new website which has been donated by media and communications agency AVC Media.

The AGM is open to members and non-members and those present will be treated to a presentation updating activity within the Park over the past twelve months in addition to sponsorship opportunities available for local businesses.

FODP Chairman Tony Dawson is delighted to add AVC Media to the list of well known local organisations that are supporting one of the north east’s most loved attractions.

“All of the monies raised by the Friends are reinvested within the Park and the fantastic support we receive from business means we can undertake more projects to benefit visitors to what is such a lovely place.

“Spencer Buchan and the team at AVC Media have been a pleasure to work with and the website they have designed for us is fabulous. We want the Friends website to be the first port of call for anyone to find out what is happening within Duthie Park so it a hugely important communication tool for us.”

AVC Media managing director Spencer Buchan said the firm was only too delighted to help out. He said:

“Friends of Duthie Park is a great local organisation dedicated to helping look after one of Aberdeen’s best public parks and we were only too happy to design and build its website.

“Our talented team wanted to reflect the fantastic work carried out by FODP and let people know about it through a great website.”

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.

Among the other companies to assist the Friends are BP, Ocean Installer, Craig Group, and Ben Reid.

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

City Firm’s Five Figure Gift To City Park

Aberdeen City, Environment, Featured 2 Responses »

Aug 272013

Douglas Craig (centre with rake), Tony Dawson (with sunglasses) and staff and volunteers at Duthie Park.

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

Yet further improvements are set to be undertaken at Duthie Park after the Friends of Duthie Park received a substantial five-figure financial boost from the city’s Craig Group.
Founded and established for over 80 years in Aberdeen, Craig Group’s global shipping and energy services provide vital rescue and procurement services to offshore industry.

Douglas Craig, the company’s chairman and managing director said:

“Duthie Park holds a special place in the heart of Aberdonians and visitors to the city, so we are very pleased to be associated with its revitalisation and the educational resource now available. My father and former chairman of the group, David, was a very keen gardener and it is fitting that our support includes horticultural enhancements.”

The money will be spent on winter bedding and rockery plants, new equipment for the park’s classroom, and to produce the first ever Friends of Duthie Park charity calendar.

Tony Dawson, the Friends’ chairman responded:

“The Craig Group’s generosity is really appreciated and will enable projects to happen that otherwise would not be possible. Producing a Friends calendar has been on the wish list of our group for some time and will now be a reality for 2014. We’re sure it’ll prove very popular, particularly to the significant number of ex-pats who are located throughout the world and for whom Duthie Park holds special memories.”

The calendar, costing £6.99, will be available at DuthiePark, online and at selected outlets.

Duthie Park is among Scotland’s most popular parks, with over half a million visitors every year. It was bequeathed to the city in 1883 by Miss Elizabeth Crombie Duthie in remembrance of her brother and uncle. As one of the finest examples of late Victorian public parks it is included in Historic Scotland’s Inventory of Designed Landscapes and Gardens.

The recent restoration and reconstruction of several lost features was inspired by old written and photographic sources and was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Aberdeen City Council. The restored DuthiePark was officially reopened on 30 June.

www.friendsofduthiepark.co.uk

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

Fun Open Day To Demonstrate Duthie Park Restoration

Aberdeen City, Featured, News No Responses »

Aug 152013

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

The third Open Day organised by the Friends of Duthie Park, and the first since completion of the park’s major restoration work, takes place on Sunday 18 August, from noon until 4 pm.

It will be an afternoon of chock-full of family-friendly entertainment, explains chairman Tony Dawson.

“The Bon Accord Silver Band will be performing at the Bandstand between noon and 2 pm, whilst there will be various acts on the temporary stage in front of the Winter Garden including Uniform, Spindrift and The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.

“In the sunken area, we’ll have bokwa, zumba and power-hoops demonstrations and there will magicians and face-painters as well.

“At our own stall, we’ll be encouraging people to join the Friends and purchase our 2014 calendar, produced in association with the Craig Group. And, of course Spike and McPuddick will both be there too.

“Last year more than 3000 attended and with the interest in the park following the completion of the restoration, we will be disappointed if we don’t top that number this weekend.”

Other attractions will include children’s rides, paddle boats, vintage vehicles and demonstrations of woodturning and military fitness. The Dons Community Department will be there and Wrestlezone Scotland will be performing at 2 pm.

Tours to show off the park’s restoration work will run at 1 pm and 3 pm.

The full timetable for the day is at www.friendsofduthiepark.co.uk

Older Entries Newer Entries