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Statue of Queen Victoria
73 A photograph showing the statue of Queen Victoria at the junction of Union Street and St. Nicholas Street. The building in the background is the Clydesdale Bank that stands next to M&S today. This fine Italian renaissance style building was originally constructed for the Town and County Bank and opened for business in May 1863.
The statue of Queen Victoria was made from marble and was sculpted by Banff born Alexander Brodie (c.1829 - 1867). The origin of this statue is closely related to another Aberdeen monument, the 1863 memorial statue of Prince Albert by Baron Marochetti, now standing, or rather sitting, in the area in front of the Central Library.
Marochetti's statue was augurated by Queen Victoria herself on 13th October 1863 and this was said to the first time the Queen had appeared at a public demonstration following the death of Albert in 1861. The Marochetti statue was the subject of great local controversy and there were various plans for an alternative, superior, memorial to the late Prince Consort. It was at a related meeting that a chap called Alexander Donald, from the Royal Tradesman of Aberdeen, moved "That a colossal statue in marble, of Her Majesty, be erected at the corner of St. Nicholas Street."
The endeavour was taken on by a variety of prominent citizens and funding was raised by public subscription. Brodie, the selected sculptor, worked on an 11-ton block of Sicilian marble for two years to complete the statue. The finished piece is 8 foot 6 inches in height and, at the request of Queen herself, depicts Victoria in Scottish regal attire. The statue stands on a substantial plinth of pink Peterhead granite.
The statue was unveiled and inaugurated on 20th September 1866 by Albert-Edward Prince of Wales, later to be King Edward VII and the subject of another of Aberdeen's notable statues. During his speech at the ceremony, the Prince said "Gentlemen, it has afforded me the greatest satisfaction to attend here today, by the wish of Her Majesty, and at your invitation, for the purpose of inaugurating a statue of the Queen, my dear mother. Her Majesty has desired me to express to you how much she appreciates the motives which have led the people of Aberdeenshire to give this lasting evidence of their attachment and loyalty to her person, of which she has so many proofs, and whose sympathy in her great sorrow has touched her so deeply."
During his visit, the Prince of Wales also received the Freedom of the City and attended the Royal Horticultural Society's Autumn Show, which was then going on in the Music Hall. An extensive account of the unveiling, the Royal visit and the town's celebrations is given in the Aberdeen Journal of 26th September 1866.
After some time at this location, the statue's marble began to show weathering due to the frost and so it was moved to the vestibule of the Town House in 1888, where it remains to this day. It stands at the foot of the building's splendid main stairway. The plaster model of Brodie's statue has also been on display in the Music Hall for many years.
A new bronze statue of an older Victoria, by sculptor Charles Bell Birch, was erected at the St. Nicholas Street location on 9th November 1893 and "the Queen" became a regular meeting place for generations of Aberdonians. To make way for the extension of Marks & Spencer, the 1893 statue moved to its current site at Queen's Cross on 22nd January 1964. Victoria now stands looking east towards Balmoral. Aberdeen Central Library
333 Aberdeen Central Library was designed by George Watt but has been added to over the years.
This image shows the library decorated for the city's celebrations of the coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra that were held on Saturday 9th August 1902. The new monarchs had been crowned the previous year.
The decorations on Schoolhill and Rosemount Viaduct were carried out under the direction of Mr Stewart, superintendent of Stewart Park.
See the Aberdeen Daily Journal of Monday 11th August 1902 for an extensive report on the coronation celebrations. European Cup Parade
652 Aberdeen Football Club's open top bus parade of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983. The photograph looks north west across Union Street towards its junction with Union Terrace.
Aberdeen defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in the final held in Gothenburg, Sweden on 11th May 1983.
The conquering heroes landed, cup in hand, at Aberdeen Airport at 14.40 the next day. The team received a rousing reception and were given a celebratory cake on arrival from an offshore catering company.
It was then on to the open top bus for the journey from Dyce to Pittodrie. Grampian Fire Brigade lined-up their engines outside their Anderson Drive headquarters as a unique guard of honour for the team as they headed for the city centre.
As shown here, the city streets were packed with fans of all ages, including some who had travelled back from Gothenburg.
Lord Provost Alex Collie, the Queen Mother and Margaret Thatcher all provided messages of congratulations. Celebrations ended at a teeming Pittodrie.
Aberdeen FC had another triumphant tour through the city centre only 10 days later after they beat Rangers 1-0 in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park. The match was on the Saturday 21st May and the parade in Aberdeen was the next day. Schoolhill decorated for a royal visit
776 Schoolhill, showing Aberdeen Art Gallery, the entrance to Robert Gordon's College and Gray's School of Art.
This image shows the buildings decorated for the city's celebrations of the coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra that were held on Saturday 9th August 1902. The new monarchs had been crowned the previous year.
The decorations on Schoolhill and Rosemount Viaduct were carried out under the direction of Mr Stewart, superintendent of Stewart Park.
See the Aberdeen Daily Journal from Monday 11th August 1902 for an extensive report on the coronation celebrations. King George V's silver jubilee celebrations, Culter
987 Celebrations of silver jubilee of King George V, Culter, 6th May 1935. Pitmedden House
1734 This photograph shows the Victoria Monument located on a hill to the south of Pitmedden House. The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route now runs between the two sites. The monument is conical in shape and well-constructed of granite rubble.
It features a granite engraved plaque with a representation of a sailing ship and the latin motto 'Per Perigulum Vivo'. The plaque reads 'Erected on the 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria's first visit to Aberdeen when she was received by George Thomson junior, Esq, The Lord Provost and afterwards MP for Aberdeen. Erected by Mr and Mrs George Thomson, Yost. Pitmedden 8th September 1898'. Duthie Park
1772 The opening of the Duthie Park in September 1883. The park was officially opened by Princess Beatrice, the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria. The park had been gifted to the city by Miss Elizabeth Crombie Duthie in 1880. Members of the Choral Union, who took part in the ceremony are standing in front of the platform.
Queen Victoria was originally intended to perform the opening ceremony but she sustained an accident earlier in the year and was unable to undertake the engagement. Princess Beatrice, the Queen's youngest daughter, then residing at Balmoral Castle, officially opened the park in her place on 27th September 1883.
The day was declared a public holiday and there were great celebrations throughout the city, concluding with a huge fireworks display over the River Dee. Lady Lyon
2034 Portrait of Elsie Inglis Lyon (1853-1927), Lady Lyon. She was the wife of Sir Alexander Lyon (1850-1926), who served as Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1905-1908.
Lady Lyon was born and educated in Aberdeen. She was active in church work and schemes related to child welfare and maternity services. She served on the committee of the Aberdeen District Nursing Association for 23 years.
In August 1925 Alexander and Lady Lyon celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.
Lady Lyon died on 3rd December 1927, aged 74, in her home at 10 Queen's Road. This was seven months after the death of her husband. Her obituary is in the Press & Journal, 5th December 1927, page 8.
Her funeral took place on 6th December. She was buried in the family burial ground at Nellfield Cemetery. The funeral was reported on page 8 of the next day's Press & Journal. Sir Alexander Lyon
2035 A portrait of Sir Alexander Lyon (1850-1926) in Lord Lieutenant's uniform. Alexander Lyon served as Provost of Aberdeen from 1905-1908. He died 26th April 1926 at his residence on Queen's Road, Aberdeen.
The Provost made the arrangements for the visit of King Edward and Queen Alexandra to Aberdeen in September 1906 for the opening of the extension of Marischal College. He was knighted during this royal visit. Lyon was also involved in the beach esplanade between the Rivers Dee and Don.
He held many public posts including; Deputy Lieutenant of the City and County of Aberdeen, a Justice of the Peace, president of the Aberdeen Territorial Army Association, a prominent office bearer in the Aberdeen Seven Incorporated Trades, a member of the West United Free Church, a member of the Cairngorm Club and the director of a number of important local businesses.
In August 1925 Alexander and Lady Lyon celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Alexander Lyon
2056 A portrait of Sir Alexander Lyon (1850-1926). Alexander Lyon served as Provost of Aberdeen from 1905-1908. He died 26th April 1926 at his residence on Queen's Road, Aberdeen.
The Provost made the arrangements for the visit of King Edward and Queen Alexandra to Aberdeen in September 1906 for the opening of the extension of Marischal College. He was knighted during this royal visit. Lyon was also involved in the beach esplanade between the Rivers Dee and Don.
He held many public posts including; Deputy Lieutenant of the City and County of Aberdeen, a Justice of the Peace, president of the Aberdeen Territorial Army Association, a prominent office bearer in the Aberdeen Seven Incorporated Trades, a member of the West United Free Church, a member of the Cairngorm Club and the director of a number of important local businesses.
In August 1925 Alexander and Lady Lyon celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Inauguration Ceremony
2213 The inauguration ceremony, during the royal visit, 1906, to open the new extension of Marischal College. This Fred Hardie image shows the University's then Principal, Rev John Marshall Lang, reading the inaugural address.
The inauguration took place at 1pm in the Marischal College quadrangle and was attended by various dignitaries and a large crowd.
To the left of Lang, who is holding his address by the granite pillar, is Sir Frederick Treves, rector of the University, Donald Alexander Smith (Lord Strathcona), the University's chancellor, Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
See Record of the Celebration of the Quatercentenary of the University of Aberdeen, from 25th to 28th September, 1906 (1907) edited by P. J. Anderson, the University's librarian, for an account of the event and wider celebrations. Milk from the Kirkhill Dairy
2236 Milk being delivered by two milk boys on Victoria Road, Torry. The milk came from the Kirkhill Dairy, Balnagask. The photograph shows a horse drawn cart.
Ian Smith has kindly been in touch to inform us that the man behind the cart is his grandfather, Albert Corbett. He ran Kirkhill Farm for much of his life.
The golden anniversary of Albert and Georgina Corbett (née Todd) was reported in the Press & Journal of 9th September 1970, page 18. The article explains that the couple had left South Kirkhill Farm, where Albert had farmed for 47 years, the previous year, moving to 28 Leggart Terrace.
They met when Georgia, an Aberdonian, moved to Fraserburgh. Albert worked on his family's nearby farm, called Watermill, and delivered milk to Georgina's landlady.
After marriage, and before moving to Balnagask, the couple lived in Strichen and ran a diary there. The article concludes stating, both aged 71, Albert and his wife had two daughters, named Mrs Irene Smith and Mrs Ethel Douglas, and three sons, Bert, James and Alistair. They also had nine grandchildren.
A family notice from the 10th January 1978 issue of the same newspaper states that Albert B. D. Corbett had died after a short illness, aged 79, the day before. A service was held for him on the 12th of that month at the Aberdeen Crematorium, Hazlehead (West Chapel).
Ian also checked with family members and informs us that the boy on the right in this photograph is Andy Cowe, who later moved to Seattle, USA, and on the left is Jocky Milne.
The Ordnance Survey, 25 inch to the mile, map of Balnagask published in 1899 indicates that there was once three houses called Kirkhill in the area; North, South and East.
South Kirkhill was located on the south side of Balnagask Road, a bit to the east of Balnagask House and Mains. East Kirkhill was not far to the east, on the other side of St. Fittick's Road and North Kirkhill was up towards Greyhope Road.
Later maps tell us that the original South Kirkhill was demolished by the early 20th century and by the 1950s East Kirkhill had taken its name. None of the residences remain today, the area of North Kirkhill is now part of Balnagask Golf Club and St. Fittick's Community Garden is now roughly where East (later South) Kirkhill once stood. North Kirkhill used to be the home of the greenkeeper of the golf course.
The use of the name Kirkhill likely refers to the nearby old St. Fittick's Church and the hilly terrain of Balnagask and Torry. Treasure 1: Aberdeen Public Library staff photograph of 1892
2271 What a fabulous photograph of the Central Library staff from when the building opened in 1892. We get a feel for the ladies dress at the time and during our 120 celebrations in 2012 mannequins wore paper costumes replicating the Victorian style.
There were 15 staff then - the Librarian, Sub-Librarian, 9 Assistants, a Reading Room Keeper, a Janitor and 2 staff in the Binding Department but not everyone is in the photograph. The Librarian is definitely missing but we will meet him later.
We have a list of staff names and one in particular was remembered for her helpfulness, courtesy and compilation of the Local Studies catalogue. Miss Emma Valentine joined the service in 1890 as an Assistant and progressed to Assistant in Charge of the Reference Department. Sadly she died young in 1915 and is believed to haunt the building today.
Who do you think Miss Valentine is in the photograph? Treasure 6: Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen
2275 Enthusiastic gardeners who have spent months, if not years, nurturing their plants have the opportunity to display their efforts at flower shows - usually held in August or September. These events for individuals happen all around the country and have a long history.
Britain in Bloom is the national flower show for whole communities. It was the brainchild of Roy Hay, a horticultural journalist. Following a holiday in France where he admired the "Fleurissement de France", he persuaded the British Travel and Holidays Association (later the British Tourist Authority) to organise a similar competition for communities in Britain.
Although the first competition in 1964 was won by Bath, Aberdeen received a "Special Mention". The city did even better in 1965 when it won the National Trophy. Although it did not win again until 1969, the city then continued its success each year until 1971. However, this achievement led to Aberdeen being debarred from the National Competition in 1972 although it still won the Scottish section. 1973 and 1974 saw Aberdeen winning the National award again, and its record 10th win was in 1998.
A slogan competition was held for the 1968 campaign when the winning entry proclaimed "Aberdeen - Garden City by the Sea".
In order to celebrate Britain in Bloom and Aberdeen's success in the competition we have chosen to highlight our collection of historic prize schedules for the Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen's annual exhibition.
The Aberdeenshire Horticultural Society was founded in March 1824 when a meeting of "Practical Gardeners" was held in the New Inn for the "purpose of forming themselves into a Society". The Earl of Aberdeen graciously agreed to be Patron of the Society.
In November 1863, it was announced at the annual general meeting that HRH the Prince of Wales had now agreed to become Patron of the Society and that the Society's name was to be changed to the Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen.
The Society's "Prize Schedule for Exhibition" gives details of each of the classes which can be entered, with the prizes which can be won - a sum of money or a cup or medal. In 1920, there were a total of 222 classes and those who exhibited were split into one of four Divisions - professional gardeners; nurserymen and florists; amateurs and working class.
The Schedules also contain the Rules of Competition, the Constitution of the Society and a list of Subscriptions and Donations received - these include names, addresses and amounts given. Our earliest copies of the booklets cover the period 1920 - 1937, although the file is incomplete.
The Society celebrated its 175th anniversary in 1999. To take a closer look at these, and many other Aberdeen historic documents, visit Aberdeen Central Library. Diamond Wedding (1 of 2)
2514 A group portrait at the Diamond Wedding celebrations of Mr. and Mrs. William Symon. William Symon was from Portsoy and Elspeth Geddes was from Fochabers. They were married in Fochabers on 26th February 1859 by Rev. Robert Cushnie. The celebrations took place in Turriff on 26th February 1919 and were ministered by Rev. Duncan MacLaren.
Many of the figures in the photograph are wearing military uniforms, which suggests they fought in the world war that ended the previous year.
The photograph was taken by the Milne Photographic Studio of Turriff. It was based at 45 High Street and was likely started by a James Milne who ran a clothes shop at the same address.
These two photographs were donated to the library by a descendant of the family. |