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Powis Gateway, Old Aberdeen
165 Powis Gateway, Old Aberdeen. These curious towers stand at the gate leading to Powis Lodge, almost opposite King's College, Old Aberdeen. They were constructed by John Leslie of Powis, who succeeded his father, Hugh Leslie of Powis, the builder of Powis House (1802).
John Leslie succeeded his father in 1812, and the towers were finished in 1834. The crescent on the top of one of the towers is the crest of the Frasers, the predecessors of the Leslies in the property of Powis.
As indicated in the bottom right, this etching of the gateway is by Aberdeen artist Henry Jackson Simpson (1893-1963), known professionally as Jackson Simpson. He was a prolific and successful local artist who specialised in etchings and watercolours of architecture, land and seascapes and wildlife.
Simpson died at his home at 58 Craigton Road, aged 70, on 28th March 1963. His obituary, which gives an account of his life, featured in the next day's Press & Journal.
He was a native of Aberdeen, the son of William Jackson, an art dealer in Diamond Street. He trained as a lithographer and joined his father in business. He served in WWI with the Northumberland Fusiliers and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery.
In 1935 he took over the family business following the death of his father. He was well travelled around Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire and this is reflected in his art. University related subjects such as Marischal College, King's College and, here, the Powis Gateway, were among his most well known works.
A keen sportsperson, and prominent freemason, he also set-up the Craigton Club and was highly involved with the Northern Arts Club.
An article titled 'The charming story of Jackson Simpson: Scotland's celebrated etcher' featured on the Press & Journal website, in partnership with the McEwan Gallery near Ballater, on 8th June 2022. The feature was produced to highlight an exhibition of Simpson's work at the aforementioned gallery. St. Mary's Chapel, St. Nicholas Church
366 A photograph of St. Mary's Chapel at St. Nicholas Church in around 1898.
Historic Environment Scotland's listed building information suggests this lower church was built in 1438. It was part of the 15th century expansion of St. Nicholas and located to the east of the then existing building. The main church was subsequently expanded eastwards over it.
Work was completed on the crypt in around 1507 and it was dedicated to the Virgin as Our Lady of Pity, from which derives the various names it has been known over the years; Pity Vault, the Cell of Our Lady of Pity, and St. Mary's Chapel.
The space has served many purposes since its creation and seen a number of renovations. It has been a general storehouse for sundry municipal items, including the gibbet, a plumber's shop, a public soup kitchen, a meeting place of the presbytery of Aberdeen, and a regular church.
More can be read about the chapel in Old Landmarks of Aberdeen (1885) by G. Gordon Burr and Alex. M. Munro, The Story of St. Mary's Chapel: The Ancient "Lower Church" or Crypt of St. Nicholas (1935) by The Rev. J. G. Grant Fleming and in the history section of the St. Nicholas Church website. 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. Great Southern Road
859 In 1880, Miss Elizabeth Crombie Duthie of Ruthrieston bought land at Allenvale and Polmuir and the vacant estate of Arthurs Seat and donated it to Aberdeen Town Council as a public park. Today, the park covers 44 acres of wide open spaces. A restaurant was also opened in 1972 at a cost of £50,000 and the famous winter gardens built in 1899 at a cost of 1550 pounds and subsequently rebuilt in 1969 at a cost of £58,000. In the centre of the picture can be seen the old West Lodge or Duthie Lodge. When the Great Southerrn Road and King George VI Bridge were built in 1938, the lodge was bought for 60 pounds by an Aberdeen contractor, dismantled and moved piece by piece to Rubislaw Den South. The Great Southern Road was a new road from Holburn Street to Whinhill Road, linking the city with the new satellite town at Kincorth and onwards to meet the Aberdeen - Stonehaven Road. Boys' Brigade King's Message
1010 A photograph showing the Boys' Brigade King's Message at Stonehaven Market on 23rd April 1935. The town's 1827 Market Buildings can be seen in the background.
To mark the silver jubilee of King George V on 6th May 1935 the Boys' Brigade undertook a roughly 2300 mile relay run of a silver baton containing a message of homage and congratulation from John O' Groats to London.
The journey started in stormy weather at 7am on 16th April 1935. As the baton travelled south it was passed from runners from one Brigade company to another.
The leg from Culter to Maryculter was carried by Sgt. W. Duthie, Cpl. D. Birse and Pte. D. Angus. The baton was then transferred to Sgt. H. Douglas, Pte. W. Brooks and Pte. L. Gordon for the next leg to Netherley and the leg to Stonehaven was carried by Sgt. J. Brown, Pte. A. Brown and Pte. I. Hay.
This photo likely shows the latter three runners having handed on the baton for the next leg. An account of this part of the baton's journey can be found in the Press & Journal of 24th April 1935 on page 5. The article indicates the baton left Culter at 7.45am on 23rd April 1935 and reached Stonehaven at 11am the same day.
The next stage south, to Kinneff, was undertaken by Sergeant J. Thomson, escorted by Corporal Christie and Lance-Corporal G. Thomson, all of 21st Aberdeen company. The Wellington Suspension Bridge
1510 Aberdeen from Torry, showing the Wellington Suspension Bridge.
In 1799 a turnpike road was established between Aberdeen and Stonehaven and the Menzies of Pitfodels and the inheritors of the church at Nigg created the Wellington Suspension Bridge to capitalise on the opportunities offered by the new road.
The engineering of the bridge was carried out by Captain Samuel Brown and the architectural features designed by John Smith.
The bridge, which replaced the Craiglug Ferry, opened to pedestrians in November 1830 and full traffic six months later.
It required refurbishment in 1930 and then had to close to vehicles in 1984. In 2002 it was completely closed but after restoration it re-opened for pedestrians in 2008.
It is now a category A listed structure A Night-Watchman, 1857
2004 A portrait of an Aberdeen man dressed in uniform. He has a lantern hanging from his jacket and may be leaning on a large cudgel.
This image is used in the book The Diced Cap: The Story of Aberdeen City Police (1972). It features on a plate, opposite page 32, and is captioned as "Watchman 1857".
On page 45, The Diced Cap quotes a report on the state of Aberdeen's law enforcement from 1859 by Scotland's first H. M. Inspector of Constabulary, Colonel John Kinloch of Logie, Kirriemuir.
The highly critical report includes the following passage: "The Constables are divided in the old fashioned way into 'Day Constables' and 'Night-Watchmen'; the latter being so far consider an inferior class that they have less pay and are not thought worth of putting into uniform like the Day Constables, being provided only with a great-coat, flat bonnet, and a big stick!" (The Diced Cap, page 47)
The figure shown in this image very much fits Kinloch's description of Aberdeen's Night-Watchmen. A School of Dolphins: Dazzle at Bridge of Don Library
2186 Our Dolphin's is called Dazzle because its tail and fins sparkle in the light like dazzling diamonds. Dazzle is also a name for either a girl or a boy dolphin so we didn't have to choose. Our design was inspired by the beautiful holographic illustrations in 'The Rainbow Fish', by Marcus Pfister. It's a favourite story at Talking Tots and tells the tale of a beautiful fish with silvery scales. Collaborative. Creative. Memorable. Dunnottar Castle
2232 A photograph of Dunnottar Castle taken from the mainland looking east. Dunnottar Castle is is a ruined medieval fortress located just under two miles south of Stonehaven. The Great Storm of 1942
2296 Early in 1942 the North East experienced one of the worst storms on record. This eight-feet-high snowdroft effectively blocked the Aberdeen-Stonehaven road near the Bridge of Dee, and on other main roads all traffic came to a halt. Image taken from The 1942 Bon-Accord Annual, p. 15. Stop 11: Early Health Services at Aberdeen General Dispensary, Vaccine and Lying-in Institution, 1823
2310 We have to use our imagination a little as the street known affectionately by locals as the 'Gushie' no longer exists other than Provost Skene's House which has the address of 45 Guestrow. In 1823 The General Dispensary, Vaccine and Lying-In Hospital opened in Guestrow, a street that ran parallel to Broad Street from where approximately the Illicit Still is today to where it joined Upperkirkgate.
The General Dispensary, Vaccine and Lying-in Hospital gave free medical advice and treatment to all that required it. These early health services were provided for poorer families often living in the East End of Aberdeen who couldn't afford to pay for medicine, vaccines or to see a doctor. Although a team of doctors were employed at the Institution, young medical students from across the road here at Marischal College also undertook some of their training at the Institution.
The Lying-In part of the Hospital was for women who, once they had had their babies, would 'lie in' for a few weeks as they had such poor living conditions at home. In 1880 it was recorded that 3327 cases were dealt with in that one year alone. It wasn't until 1892 that midwives were employed, recognizing the need for specialist nursing care for pregnant women. This greatly improved the nursing care provided and understanding of the specific needs of mothers and babies.
A famous daughter of Aberdeen who has shaped midwifery throughout the world is Maggie Myles (1892-1988) who wrote her groundbreaking book Textbook for Midwives 'With Modern Concepts of Obstetrics and Neo-natal Care' in 1953, the year before she retired. Maggie produced a further nine editions, each kept up-to-date with the latest developments and best practice. The book has been translated into many languages and is recognized as the leading international textbook for midwives. The book is now in its 15th edition. Born in 1892 in Aberdeen the daughter of a housepainter and former domestic servant Maggie Myles life story is truly remarkable. Migrating to Canada soon after leaving school Maggie would rise to become the director of midwifery education in Philadelphia and Detroit before returning to Scotland in 1939 to be Midwifery Tutor at Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion in Edinburgh.
Memories:
Heather's memories of Billie Maver and the General Dispensary
Nora recounts her memories of Maggie Myles
Edith shares her memories of Maggie Myles 173 Union Street
2825 Wm. Kennaway, Ltd., bakers and confectioners, at 173 Union Street in 1937. The Car and General Insurance Corporation, Ltd., can be seen above at 173A.
At the time of this photograph Kennaway also had branches at 5 and 7 Holburn Street and at The Square, Stonehaven. The premises on Union Street had a restaurant towards the rear. CONCLUSION
2880 Sadly, my report ends here. It has been a great pleasure researching the relationship between two countries with which I strongly identify. I was born in Poland and moved to Scotland when I was 6 months old along with my family. I can relate to both parts and consider myself a citizen of both countries. I hope you have enjoyed reading this report and are encouraged to research into your own family ancestry. Maybe you'll find some Polish heritage. Who knows? But most of all I hope you have become more knowledgeable on the matter, possibly making our community more aware of racism and prejudice and helping to tackle these very important issues in Aberdeen.
Sources and References
'Scots in Poland, Poles in Scotland' from The Krakow Post
link
Aberdeen Press and Journal, Saturday 27th April 1935
Aberdeen Press and Journal, Friday 13th September 1931
Wikipedia entry for Alexander Czamer
link
'Scotland and Poland' from #ScotlandIsNow
link
'Polish "most targeted group" in prejudice in Aberdeen' from BBC News
link
'Alexander Chalmers, Scottish Mayor of Warsaw' by Ross 'Teddy' Craig
link
'History of Gordon's' from Robert Gordon's College website
link
'Scots Diaspora' by Andrew Elliott
link
'Did you know?' from Mapa Scotland: the Great Polish Map of Scotland
link
'Papers Relating to the Scots in Poland (1576-1798)' from Electric Scotland
link
Aberdeen Theatres: Sweet Red Riding Hood
3357 By selecting Red Riding Hood for the opening pantomime, the director of His Majesty Theatre, Mr Robert Arthur, made a happy hit as the traditional children's story attracted many people, young and old.
As a pantomime, the story of Little Red Riding Hood got somewhat lost in the musical and operatic melange but the performance was well applauded by both the public and the press. The pantomime, written by Frank Dix and composed by Jullien H. Wilson, was divided into two acts - the first in four scenes and the second in five. This "Book of Words" programme contains the script, photographs of the actors and some local adverts.
For the first two nights of the pantomime, bookings were reserved for debenture and preference shareholders only, of which there were a considerable number, as nearly all the money for the new building had been raised locally.
The pantomime, which ran till the end of the year, was greeted with whole-hearted applause from start to finish. Aberdeen Cinemas: Queen's
3420 The building that housed the Queen's cinema was initially built in 1836-37 to a design by John Smith for the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen. It was their first purpose-built meeting hall and library in the city. The society sold this building at 120 Union Street in 1870 and moved to new premises in Concert Court, where they remain to this day.
After varied use as a restaurant, billiard hall, and salesroom, the building was converted into a cinema in 1913 by its then owner Robert J. Mackenzie. He shortly afterwards opened a companion cinema, also called the Queen's, in Stonehaven's Allardyce Street.
Michael Thomson in Silver Screen in the Silver City (1988) explains that by the late 1920s the Queen's Rooms Cinema Syndicate was struggling. In the spring of 1927 James F. Donald made an offer for a majority share interest in the company and this was accepted. On 24th July of that year, a re-seated and redecorated Queen's reopened under Donald's operation. This revitalised the venue and it became a popular picture house once more.
The cinema saw its first talking picture, So this is College, on 6th August 1930 and was advertised at the time as "The Finest and Clearest Talkie House in Town". A severe fire at the Queen's Cinema in 1936 led to the reconstruction of the building's interior. Thomson states that the granite outer shell was all that the rebuilt cinema, designed by architects George Watt & Stewart, had in common with its predecessor.
The Queen's was a popular cinema for much of the 20th century. This Aberdeen Journals Archive photograph shows the cinema in 1969 at its prominent location at the junction of Back Wynd and Union Street. Its large display boards are advertising screenings of the film Never Mention Murder.
[Information primarily sourced from Silver Screen in the Silver City (1988) by Michael Thomson]
Image © Aberdeen Journals Ltd. Aberdeen Cinemas: Astoria
3430 An Aberdeen Journals Archive photograph of the Astoria in around 1943. This super-cinema in Kittybrewster was opened in 1934 and was located at the end of Powis Terrace, at the start of Clifton Road and at its junction with Great Northern Road. This photograph looks towards Clifton Road from this location.
The film being shown at the time is Air Force with John Garfield. The premises of Birrell, confectioners, and George A. Davidson, provision merchant, can also be seen in the image.
Michael Thomson in Silver Screen in the Silver City (1988) tells the story of the cinema. The Astoria was primarily the brainchild of Bert Darley who had quit Poole's, proprietors of the Palace and Regent, and started up a new company called the Aberdeen Astoria Cinema Ltd. with various local businessmen and financial backers.
The giant cinema, designed by Thomas Scott Sutherland, was intended to serve the growing population of Kittybrewster, Powis, Woodside and Hilton. Construction on the £45,000 building proceeded quickly and it was opened on 8th December 1934 with screenings of a film called I Give My Love.
Thomson states that the Astoria's emphasis was on "spaciousness, relying upon simplicity of form to create a pleasing impression of clean-lined functionality." The space of the site allowed Scott Sutherland to enlarge on ideas first used at the Regent. The concept was again a tall central section, incorporating three main windows, with smaller side portions on either side.
The Astoria, along with the Capitol, was one of only two Aberdeen cinemas with a theatre organ. Both were equipped with top-of-the-line Compton organs at the time of their opening.
In March 1936 James F. Donald (Aberdeen Cinemas) Ltd. acquired a controlling share interest in the Aberdeen Astoria Cinema company. Richard Donald replaced Bert Darley as the manager at the Kittybrewster venue.
The programmes of the Astoria and the Kingsway on King Street were regularly linked, both being Donald cinemas. In the 1950s they showed Cinemascope films such as King of the Khyber Rifles and Beneath the Ten Mile Reef.
The cinema's last film was The Moving Target, with Paul Newman and Lauren Becall, shown on 13th August 1966. On the 29th of that month the venue reopened as a bingo hall. This was at the height of the game's popularity, however not even it could save the Astoria. At the end of the year the Donalds the site for redevelopment as a shopping complex. Demolition on the cinema was begun in April 1967.
Michael Thomson explains that all removable fittings and materials were salvaged. Additionally, the Compton organ was transferred to the school hall of Powis Academy. It served the school well for many years before unfortunately being destroyed in a fire during the night of 20th November 1982.
[Information primarily sourced from Silver Screen in the Silver City (1988) by Michael Thomson]
Image © Aberdeen Journals Ltd. Pocra Quay
3569 This photograph depicts Pocra Quay on the left and the South breakwater lighthouse off in the distance on the right.
Multiple ships are registered in Aberdeen and Banff, such as Ebenezer (A892) belonging to Thomas Davidson, Callykhan (BF122) of J. Murray & others, and Tarbat Ness (A203) and Buchan Ness (A204) which belonged to the Girdleness Herring Drifting Company Ltd. based in Aberdeen.
Buchan Ness (A204) was built in 1908 and over the years had its name and registration changed a couple of times. In 1912 it was renamed to F.H.S. and moved to Yarmouth for John F. C. Salmon. Then, in 1929 it was moved to Banff and renamed again to Thealby for John Wood.
The wood screw steamer Vine (A279) also has an interesting story. It was built in 1900 by Forbes & Birnie based in Peterhead for a fish salesman from Aberdeen Thomas Davidson. An article written in The Buchan Observer of 20th March 1900 describes a celebratory banquet in honour of the newly built ship as it was leaving Peterhead to Aberdeen, where it would have a steam engine installed. The vessel was described as an "extraordinary success" due to its appearance and speed.
Unfortunately, in 1915, the ship was captured by enemy submarine and sunk with gunfire 30 miles north-east from Out Skerries, Shetland. All crew returned home safely.
The photograph was likely taken between the years of 1908 and 1915. Tourist information caravan
4213 A City of Aberdeen Council employee showing two tourists some local information.
This photograph was taken inside City of Aberdeen's tourist information caravan. Other images indicate this substantial caravan, when being moved, was towed by a gold coloured Range Rover.
The poster in the background for an event at Haddo House dates this image to 1980. A search of old newspapers suggests that a tourist information caravan had been in use since at least 1978 and probably earlier (Evening Express, 28th November 1985, page 9).
The caravan appears to have been sited at road-side locations for considerable periods. One location between 1978 and 1985, as is the case in this image, was the lay-by on the Stonehaven Road, across the A92 from the foot of Nigg Way, as the road approaches Aberdeen from the south.
The caravan's purpose was to provide information for visitors and would also have been able to assist with accommodation and activity bookings.
The photograph comes from a collection of slides donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's publicity department. Tourist information caravan
4214 A photograph of the City of Aberdeen's tourist information caravan and its towing Range Rover outside St. Nicholas House (to the rear of the camera) on Broad Street. A number of figures inspect the car.
Aberdeen City Council appear to have used a caravan like this from at least 1978. Its purpose was to provide information for visitors and would also have been able to assist with accommodation and activity bookings.
The caravan appears to have been sited at road-side locations for considerable periods. One location between 1978 and 1985 was the lay-by on the Stonehaven Road, across the A92 from the foot of Nigg Way, as the road approaches Aberdeen from the south.
Looking at the condition of the vehicles and the air of occasion, this may have been the launch of a new caravan.
The photograph comes from a collection of slides from the 1970s and 80s donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's publicity department. Another image of the caravan suggests these ones may date from 1980. Tourist information caravan
4215 A City of Aberdeen Council employee showing a visitor a map.
This photograph was taken inside City of Aberdeen's tourist information caravan. Other images indicate this substantial caravan was pulled by a gold coloured Range Rover.
Aberdeen City Council appear to have used a caravan like this from at least 1978. Its purpose was to provide information for visitors and would also have been able to assist with accommodation and activity bookings.
The caravan appears to have been sited at road-side locations for considerable periods. One location between 1978 and 1985 was the lay-by on the Stonehaven Road, across the A92 from the foot of Nigg Way, as the road approaches Aberdeen from the south.
The kitchen equipment seen here in the background would no doubt be useful when the caravan was in its location.
The photograph comes from a collection of slides from the 1970s and 80s donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's publicity department. Another image of the caravan suggests these ones may date from 1980. Tourist information caravan
4216 A photograph of the City of Aberdeen tourist information caravan at the lay-by on the Stonehaven Road, across the A92 from the foot of Nigg Way, as the road approaches Aberdeen from the south. The caravan was sited here between approximately 1978 and 1985. The houses on Clerk Maxwell Terrace can be seen in the background.
The image also shows public toilets that have been made available for travellers heading towards the city. In the foreground is a Ducati motorcycle loaded for travelling. The riders stand near the entrance to the caravan. In another image they are being shown information by a council employee.
Aberdeen City Council appear to have used a caravan like this from at least 1978. Its purpose was to provide information for visitors and would also have been able to assist with accommodation and activity bookings.
The photograph comes from a collection of slides from the 1970s and 80s donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's publicity department. Another image of the caravan suggests these ones may date from 1980. Tourism information caravan
4217 A photograph of the City of Aberdeen's tourist information caravan and its towing Range Rover outside St. Nicholas House. Three figures stand near the vehicles.
Aberdeen City Council appear to have used a caravan like this from at least 1978. Its purpose was to provide information for visitors and would also have been able to assist with accommodation and activity bookings.
The caravan appears to have been sited at road-side locations for considerable periods. One location between 1978 and 1985 was the lay-by on the Stonehaven Road, across the A92 from the foot of Nigg Way, as the road approaches Aberdeen from the south.
Looking at the condition of the vehicles and the air of occasion, this may have been the launch of a new caravan.
The photograph comes from a collection of slides from the 1970s and 80s donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's publicity department. Another image of the caravan suggests these ones may date from 1980. Stonehaven Harbour
4230 This photograph shows a day of relaxation in the Inner Dock of Stonehaven Harbour.
In the foreground a man smokes on the bow of a small boat. Another man can be seen in a dinghy next to the good ship Torfness. A young person enjoys their day of rest onboard an inflatable.
In the background of this image, taken from the South Pier, can be seen the buildings of Shorehead, the street which runs along the harbour side of Stonehaven.
This image likely dates from the 1970s or 80s. It is a part of a collection of slides donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's Publicity department. |