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Victoria Park
241 In 1871 Aberdeen Town Council decided to convert nearly 14 acres of Glennie's Parks, which had been used for cattle grazing, into a public recreation ground - Aberdeen's first public park.
Aberdeen's lack of a public park up to this point had become a contentious issue. For example, newspaper reports indicate that those opposed to the Municipality Extension Act of 1871 (which extended the boundary of the city, brought the functions of the Police Commissioners under the Council and incorporated the gasworks) repeatedly suggested that the expense involved in the new bill would be better used in the creation of a much wanted public park.
It is not unreasonable to suppose that this debate, and criticism of the Council, hastened the creation of Victoria Park. While work likely begun in 1871, it was not until March 1873 that the Improvements Committee of the Council recommended that the new park should be called "Victoria Park". At the same time, they also outlined a series of 13 rules and regulations for agreement by the full Council. There does not appear to have been an official opening for the new amenity.
Glennie's Park was not the only site considered for Aberdeen's first public park. Interest in such an undertaking was increasing at the same time as work was underway to divert the River Dee and improve the harbour. The new ground created in this latter project, encompassing the old, more northerly course of the river and the Inches, was a much proposed location for a park. Following the creation of Victoria Park this newly leveled ground was instead given over for buildings related to the expanding fishing industry.
A nurseryman called Robert Walker (1848-1930), originally from Perth, was chosen out of 450 candidates to be the city's first public park keeper and appointed to Victoria Park. He was likely largely responsible for the park's initial layout and appearance. His Press & Journal obituary (21/04/1930, p.6) suggests that prior to his appointment the site was "little better than a waste space".
Walker subsequently laid out Westburn Park, Stewart Park, Union Terrace Gardens and the Promenade. He also advocated and pioneered the planting of street trees. He served the Corporation for 46 years, retiring in 1919, and must be considered one of the unsung heroes of Aberdeen history.
This photograph, taken around 1900, shows one of the main paths leading to a large granite fountain, which was designed by J.B. Pirie. It is built of 14 different types of granite and was presented by the granite polishers and master builders of the city.
Since the park is almost in the city centre, it is an oasis of peace with its mature trees and, in spring, there are masses of flowering bulbs scattered through the grass. Demolition of Torry Brickworks chimney
310 A photograph of the demolition of the largest of the chimney stalks at the Torry brick and tile works that took place on Saturday 12th September 1903.
The photograph illustrates the method employed to fall the 175 foot structure, by the overseer Peter Tawse, as described in the Press & Journal:
"The preliminary work of cutting a gap in the chimney near the base was early accomplished by three of the skilled tunnellers employed by Mr Tawse at the Girdleness outfall sewer. As the gap widened, stout wooden props were put in to support the structure. The gap was carried to more than half the circumference of the chimney, and the sight of the weighty pile supported on one side by only a half-dozen wooden props was certainty sufficient to make one nervous. The gang was under the charge of a Lancashire foreman, and they worked away, pipe in mouth, quite unconcernedly.
"The gap having been completed, a charge of dynamite was inserted at the bottom of the props, and a time fuse attached to each.
"Excitement reached a high pitch among the spectators when the signal was given to fire the fuses, and the crowd began to edge further away when the smoke was seen curling round the props, and as the workmen bolted to get beyond the danger zone. First one charge and then the other exploded with a sharp report, but it was not until the props at the extreme ends of the half circles were blown to splinters, that the chimney showed any sign of moving. It then came down, as a spectator remarked, - 'Jist like a rum'le o' bricks.' It slid rather than fell straight down at first, but the top portion toppled over in a south-easternly direction, exactly on the line expected by the contractor. It was all over in a couple of seconds, and certainly it was a sensational sight - so quick, so clear, so safe."
P&J, 14/09/1903, page 6. Demonstration in favour of the Franchise Bill
318 On the 16th August 1884, a great demonstration took place in Aberdeen in support of the Franchise Bill. Over 10,000 men including members of 33 different trades, assembled on the Esplanade and, to the music of 20 bands, paraded through the city street on way to the Links. This photograph shows the processions snaking down Guild Street.
The figures dressed in white towards the front of the procession are likely from the contingent of bakers and millers, of whom there were 300 in number. This may be the end of their group, with a band and the shore labourers behind them.
Describing the procession, the pamphlet The Franchise Bill Demonstration at Aberdeen, on Saturday, 16th August, 1884 states the following:
"The millers and bakers, who came next, presented, perhaps the best show in the whole procession. Dressed in white from head to foot, they made a strikingly conspicuous display amid the variegated draping of the other demonstrators." (Page 7).
The pamphlet goes on to describe the various banners and displays carried by the millers and bakers.
Aberdeen City Libraries have a copy of The Franchise Bill Demonstration at Aberdeen, on Saturday, 16th August, 1884 in our Local Studies Reserve Stock (Lo 329) and this can be consulted at Aberdeen Central Library. The pamphlet states that it is compiled chiefly from local newspaper reports. Franchise Bill demonstration
370 On the 16th of August 1884, a great demonstration took place in Aberdeen in support of the Franchise Bill. A procession by over 10,000 men including members of 33 different trades assembled on the Esplanade, and to the music of 20 bands, paraded through several principal streets before making its way to the Links, where many speeches were made. This photograph shows the procession marching down Guild Street. The 1867 Aberdeen Joint Station
537 This photograph shows the eastern side of the original 1867 Aberdeen Joint Station. The railway buildings can be seen at the front with the roof rising behind.
The history of the station can be discovered in the Great North of Scotland Railway Association's publication The Joint Station: Aberdeen Station, 1867-1992 (c1992).
In reference to the 1867 station, on page 18 it states:
"Designed by the City Architect, Mr Smith, various offices and rooms occupied the east side of the station, extending in a symmetrical manner along the entire frontage, in front of which ran a macadamised roadway eighty feet broad. The building's facade was of dressed ashlar granite quarried from Kenmay, surrounded by a balustrade of dressed freestone. The arched doors were also faced with finely dressed ashlar granite, again surrounded by freestone. The remainder of the buildings was of rustic granite interlined with courses and belts of ashlar freestone from Bannockburn. The main walls, which were thirty feet high, were finished off at the ends by square turrets about twenty feet high 'built of granite rustic work which gave the whole structure a most imposing appearance'. At its highest point the roof, designed by Mr Willet the Civil Engineer for the project, was about seventy feet above ground level and was stated as being modelled on Victoria Station, London."
The cranes and construction work that can be seen on the left side of this image suggest that it might date from the beginning of the 1913-1916 construction of the new Joint Station, overseen by GNSR Chief Engineer J. A. Parker. Foundations for the new station were laid in the cab yard to the east of the old structure on 28th May, 1913. The Joint Station Reconstruction
540 This image most likely shows the demolition of the original roof of the 1867 Joint Station. This work was begun in August 1913.
The Joint Station was significantly reconstructed from 1912-16 to meet increasing traffic demands and to improve facilities. The project was overseen by GNSR Chief Engineer, J. A. Parker.
Remarkably, the reconstruction was completed with very little disturbance to the station's operation.
See the Great North of Scotland Railway Association's publication The Joint Station: Aberdeen Station, 1867-1992 (c1992) for the full story. Quaker Meeting House
771 A photograph of the the Quaker meeting house that was located between Gallowgate and Sea Mount Place. This image shows the front elevation of the building that faced south east on to Port Hill.
The large scale Ordnance Survey town plan of Aberdeen (sheet LXXV.11.8., surveyed in 1867) indicates that their associated burial ground was located to the west of the building, towards Gallowgate. The plan also states that the meeting house had seating for 350 people.
The Quaker Meeting Houses Heritage Project (link here) states that the group first established their meeting house and burial ground on this site in 1672 and they continued to meet there until moving to a new location in 1800.
This building was later acquired by John Watt & Sons, leather merchants. The upper part had louvre windows which made it suitable for drying leather. Later OS maps suggest the building may have stood as a ruin into the mid-20th century.
At the time of writing in 2022, the site is now an elevated outdoor space surrounded by blocks of flats, to the south of Porthill Court, that go from Gallowgate around Seamount Road
A more recent, late-Victorian Quaker meeting house can be found at 98 Crown Street, Aberdeen.
To find out more about Quakers in Aberdeen, in addition to the above mentioned Quaker Meeting House Heritage Project, there is information on a relevant collection of books held by the University of Aberdeen, including a list of associated publications, here. Culter
876 This image was taken around 1909 from a hill at the west end of Culter - 7 miles west from Aberdeen looking down on the North Deeside Road towards Banchory. The image shows the cottages known as Clayhills with the houses of Malcolm Road beyond. Hidden in the trees at the right hand side is the statue of Rob Roy overlooking the Leuchar Burn which runs through the wooded valley. Rob Roy statue number 2, Culter
960 The statue of Rob Roy at Culter - number 2, 1850-1926. A Rob Roy figure has stood on this rocky ledge high above the Leuchar Burn just before it reached Culter Paper Mills for around 150 years. It has become a tourist attraction for those travelling on the North Deeside Road at Peterculter, about 8 miles from Aberdeen. However, there is no historical evidence to support the legend that Rob Roy MacGregor left the gorge to escape his pursuers. The original figure is supposed to have been a figurehead from a Peterhead whaling ship and it was replaced in about 1865 with the carved wooden stature seen here. It apparently suffered damage before the First World War when local Territorial soldiers practised their firing skills on it. However, by 1925, the figure was in a poor state due to the effects of time and weather. A committee was appointed to secure a new stature and an Aberdeen woodcutter, David Graham, created a figure from a nine foot high block of Quebec yellow pine. It was unveiled on 3 July 1926. This figure lasted until 1991, when it had to be replaced again after being damaged by vandals. His Majesty's Theatre renovations
1168 The support and underneath of the new revolving stage under constrruction at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. His Majesty's Theatre renovations
1169 The support and underneath of the new revolving stage under constrruction at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. His Majesty's Theatre renovations
1182 The support and underneath of the old revolving stage at His Majesty's Theatre. Alexander Robertson
1386 Alexander W Robertson MA was appointed Librarian from 123 applicants including only one female. He submitted 21 testimonials to the Public Library Committee in support of his application. Prior to his appointment he was Assistant Librarian at Aberdeen University. Union Terrace Gardens, c. 1910
1736 A view of Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen. The centre of the picture is dominated by the prestigious Palace Hotel on Union Street, which was built in 1873 by Pratt & Keith, drapers. In 1891, the hotel was acquired by the Great North of Scotland Railway Company and quietly established a high reputation for itself. The building was destroyed by fire in 1941 and was never rebuilt. The gardens themselves have always been a popular meeting and walking place in the centre of town for city residents and visitors alike. The arches to the right are those which support Union Terrace. St John's Well
1849 St John's Well was situated at the junction of Skene Row and the Hardweird. Originally it was located on a grassy bank which led down from the bottom of Skene Row to Upper Denburn. The well took its name from being in a bit of land given for the support of a Chaplain of St. John the Evangelist in St Nicholas Church. The Victoria Bridge
1994 The Victoria Bridge as seen from across the River Dee on the shores of Torry.
Victoria Bridge was erected following the Dee Ferry Boat Disaster, which claimed the lives of 32 people on 5 April 1876.
The ferry had for centuries took people from Pocra Quay, near Fittie, to Torry and back again.
The 5th April was a feastday so the ferry was particularly busy when it went down and 32 people lost their lives.
There had long been plans to build a bridge here but the Ferry Boat disaster was the final impetus needed for the project.
When the bridge opened finally in 1881 it enabled direct access for carriages from Torry into the heart of Abedeen via Market Street. The new bridge facilitated the rapid expansion that Torry would see in the following years.
By 1969 it was clear to Aberdeen Corporation that Victoria Bridge was no longer coping with the amount of traffic using it to cross the Dee.
A report in 1965 showed that traffic was 20% above the level for which the bridge had been designed.
This overload and the deteriorating state of The Wellington Suspension Bridge saw the opening of the nearby Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in 1981. A School of Dolphins: Cookie at Bucksburn Library
2157 Inspiration came from both the dolphin project workshop we received and the children's wish to involve the Commonwealth Games theme this summer. The children also liked the idea of the languages because several of the children were born outside of Scotland. Finally the kids of Brimmond Primary School wanted to convey a message about keeping our seas clean. A School of Dolphins: Archie Star at Central Library
2180 Everyone got a chance to make their mark on Archie star. The rainbow reflects the Archie foundation and the fantastic work they do, it also is a symbol reflecting the generous support of Woodgroup. The bright stars are the children and the amazing staff at RACH. The collaged comics were chosen by all our artists big and small. A School of Dolphins: Rainbow Sparkles at Central Library
2182 All the children in Ashgrove Developmental nursery have additional support needs. They were given free access to a variety of art and collage materials and decorated Rainbow Sparkles. We asked other children in the playroom to help name the Dolphin. A School of Dolphins: Doris at Central Library
2183 All the children in Seaton Developmental Nursery have additional support needs and find a sensory approach to the curriculum beneficial. The children selected the materials for Doris and adults supported them to decorate her. She has a 'talking' button similar to those used by our non- vocal children to introduce herself. A School of Dolphins: Eric at Central Library
2191 "Eric" replaced "Carnegie" and remained in the Central Library on the dolphin trail throughout June until the end of August. Eric was a tribute to artist Eric Auld FRSA (1931 - 24 December 2013) who supported the Wild Dolphins project but sadly passed away before painting a dolphin. 'Eric" is a collage of portraits and landscapes applied reflecting his stylistic brush strokes featuring some of his most iconic images mixed with original sketches of former students. 95-99 Union Street
2196 Lumsden and Gibson, grocers, at 95 Union Street and Manfield and Sons, shoe shop, at 99 Union Street. Grants, a furniture shop can be seen above.
Correspondent Ed Fowler supplied has supplied some further excellent information:
"Grants Furnishings eventually extended in to the street level premises from the first floor and was a popular supplier of furniture items in the 1940's and 50's by offering convenient hire purchase.
Just out of frame is the sliding gate across the arcade style entrance which crossed via a covered cast iron support bridge above Carnegie Brae and up steps to the North Gallery of Simpson's New Market which was mainly laid out with 2nd hand Books Stall displays and a Stamp Collector's Shop.
A Victorian coin operated clockwork display provided entertainment for children of an exciting fire engine and ladder rescue scene." The Sick Children's Hospital
2243 Correspondent Ed Fowler commented:
"This image [was] taken within the Sick Children's Hospital, Castle Terrace. The early first floor ward, probably to the right of the Entrance where there was a shallow pitched roof, is ready for patients, is immaculately clean, with a shining polished floor evident. A small child sits playing with a teddy bear in the foreground. Several triple bracket gas light mantles can be observed suspended from the roof ceiling on central support and supply rods. The joist arrangement and access hatch evident suggests it was formerly Dr Blackies RN 1st-Floor Room in the past with five-side windows and two end windows. One suspects that this 14-bed hospital ward was not yet ready for the admission of patients as there appears to be quite a few members of staff posing about the still empty beds for ambience."
It was closed when Aberdeen Royal Infirmary at Foresterhill was opened in 1936. Torry and the River Dee
2245 This photograph by George Washington Wilson shows Old Torry from Balnagask, with Victoria Bridge in the distance.
In the early 19th century Old Torry developed out of the medieval settlement of Lower Torry. It was a centre of fishing industry and culture. Old Torry was eventually largely demolished in the 1970s to make way for support service buildings for the emerging oil and gas industry. Only one or two streets, such as Abbey Road, remain of Old Torry.
Victoria Bridge was erected following the Dee Ferry Boat Disaster, which claimed the lives of 32 people on 5 April 1876. The ferry had for centuries took people from Pocra Quay, near Fittie, to Torry and back again. The 5th April was a feast day so the ferry was particularly busy when it went down and 32 people lost their lives. There had long been plans to build a bridge here but the Ferry Boat disaster was the final impetus needed for the project.
When the bridge opened finally in 1881 it enabled direct access for carriages from Torry into the heart of Aberdeen via Market Street. The new bridge facilitated the rapid expansion that Torry would see in the following years. |