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Sawmill Squad, Culter
1028 This image from around 1921 shows a squad of saw mill workers from Tom Davie's Mill on Malcolm Road, Culter. Those pictured are: Jocky Shewan, Sammy Stephen, Willie Mundie, Alfy Clark, Robbie Douglas, Dottie Christie and Alec Simpson. The Clayton Steam Wagon (Registration Number FE 2385) with its solid tyres had a top speed of 8mph. The lad sitting on the tree trumps would appear to be aged around 14 or 15 - he had probably only just left school. George Street
1194 This 1987 view of the east side of George Street show the premises at 12-16 and at 20-22 George Street in their last days before being demolished. The Rubber Shop had been in business in the city since 1890 when its founder, George Fowler opened premises at 16 St. Nicholas Street called the London Rubber Company, supplying waterproofs, sports goods, hosepipes, washers etc. This expanded into a wide variety of toys and leather goods. In 1945, they moved from St. Nicholas Street to these premises in George Street where they continued to sell toys, sports equipment, china and fancy goods until July 1986 when the impending development of the Bon Accord Centre forced their closure. Silverhillock Farm
1482 An image looking north east showing Silverhillock Farm in the 1950s.
The property, through which flowed the Gilcomston Burn, was located at the junction of Westburn Road and Foresterhill Road.
The Royal Infirmary buildings can be seen in the background. 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. 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? Lord Provost Collie at Aberdeen Joint Station
2645 In the 1980s, long distance train travel started to become popular again. The High Speed Trains on the East Coast route to London were the stars of the new fleet. Lord Provost Collie gave the accelerated "Flying Scotsman" service to London Kings Cross a send-off in June 1981. INTRODUCTION
2873 Aberdeen is home to an estimated 1,020 Poles. This number is gradually growing every year. Although the Polish community has integrated well with the Scots, there is still prejudice lingering. Statistics from 2017 show that Poles were the ethnic minority group in Aberdeen which had received the most racial discrimination. 70% of a total 144 incidents of discrimination consisted of verbal abuse.
It is important to demolish any type of discrimination towards any race to maintain peace within Aberdeen's communities. I believe that in order to do so, we all have to look back at our history together.
Significant relations between Scotland and Poland date back to at least the 16th century. From that time onwards, whether it was fighting together in WW1 and WW2 or making lucrative trades, our relationship has remained fruitful. In this article I shall be writing about our countries' most cardinal points in history. March Stone 44
3229 This stone is located at the east side of Bucksburn. It is marked "44 ABD".
A copy of this original stone is located on the east side of the Bucksburn, near the site of the old ford across the burn. It is adjacent to the road. The original stone is situated on the west side of the burn, although we do not recommend visiting that site.
A slide of this image was kindly lent to Aberdeen City Libraries by Colin Johnston so that we could create a digital copy for public use.
The image was taken in the early 1980s when Colin worked as a teacher at Bridge of Don Academy. He led several current and former pupils, and staff members in an investigation into the location, physical condition and public knowledge of Aberdeen's historic boundary markers. March Stone 49
3231 There are two stones numbered "49". The newer one is situated back of the pavement on the south west corner of Persley Bridge, near the A92. This is a replacement for the earlier stone which was washed away from its original site, east of Scatterburn. We do not encourage visiting the original stone due to its hazardous location. It is marked "49 ABD".
A slide of this image was kindly lent to Aberdeen City Libraries by Colin Johnston so that we could create a digital copy for public use.
The image was taken in the early 1980s when Colin worked as a teacher at Bridge of Don Academy. He led several current and former pupils, and staff members in an investigation into the location, physical condition and public knowledge of Aberdeen's historic boundary markers. Street entertainer
3346 We believe this photograph shows a man historically known as Fool Friday entertaining a group of children and adults outside a house in Aberdeen. Fool Friday was a street vendor who sold ice cream in summer and hot chestnuts in winter. He may have also played a barrel piano as shown here.
Fool Friday was an often seen, distinctive character on the streets of Aberdeen. References to him in recorded oral history and newspapers suggest he sold his goods around the town centre, including at the Castlegate. He appears to have been around in the earlier years of the 20th century, between the two world wars. Little seems to be known, or recorded, about the life of this intriguing figure.
He is mentioned in an article of reminiscences by Arthur Bruce from the Leopard magazine of December 1986/January 1987. Bruce writes "I am reminded of another worthy who lived round the corner in Harriet Street, an Ice Cream Mannie, with a home and family. Of Italian origins he was known as 'Fool Friday' - nothing to do with being stupid, I may add, simply the local dialect for foul or dirty. Legend had it that the nickname was well deserved, but as a child I was never aware of his less than hygienic approach to the business of selling ice cream from a 'cairtie'. I have never solved the mystery of the 'Friday' part, although I should be delighted to hear from anyone who knows the answer."
It is possible that this photograph shows not Fool Friday, but someone else entirely. A letter in the Evening Express of 30th October 1979, looking back to this earlier time, describes a man known as Can-Tam who played a barrel organ in the streets. The letter writer suggests that Can-Tam's organ was smashed by a tram and subsequently replaced by the council.
A suggestion received through social media and subsequent further research indicates that this image may show Guiseppe, or Joseph, Bordone (1872-1957). He was an eating house keeper and an ice-cream and chestnuts vendor. A brief mention in the Evening Express newspaper of 15th March 1994, page 8, suggests that Bordone may have been known as Fool Friday, but this is uncertain.
This photograph was printed as a postcard and these were perhaps sold to the families visited by the entertainer. This postcard was lent to Aberdeen City Libraries by Bill Cheyne so that we could create and preserve a digital copy for public use. Pitglassie Group Portrait
3353 This photograph was one of three lent to Aberdeen City Libraries by Mr William Finney of Banchory so that we could create and preserve a digital copy for public use. These three photographs were kept by Mr Finney's family and he hopes to find out more about the people shown in them. If you can shed any light on these images please get in touch using the comment button on the left. Mr Finney was born in Turriff and the images likely relate to that area of Aberdeenshire.
This photograph by David Smith is a group portrait that appears to show five workers from the farm or area of Pitglassie in 1923. The image might have been taken at a local event or competition. This could well be a competitive ploughing team.
Pitglassie is an area with a number of farms located to the south of Turriff and north of the Kirktown of Auchterless. Ordnance Survey maps from the period show farms called Upper Pitglassie, Mid Pitglassie and North Pitglassie. There is also a Wood of Pitglassie and Crofts of Pitglassie.
The man in the middle of the lower row bears a resemblance to a figure from another of Mr Finney's images who is tentatively identified as a Fred Matthews. The man in the top left can be seen in the background of another of the three images. We do not have any knowledge about the other sitters.
Not a great deal is known about the photographer either. The card states David Smith is a "Photographic artist and picture frame maker" and that he is available for marriages and picnics. A search of old newspapers indicates there was a photographer called David Smith active in Inverurie in the 1910s. He appears to have lived in Souterford, a property that still stands today, though derelict, on the Oldmeldrum Road just after it crosses the River Urie, going out of the town. This may or may not be the David Smith who took this portrait. F. G. Main farm portrait
3354 A portrait by photographer F. G. Main of a young man and his horses at an Aberdeenshire farm. This was one of three photographs lent to Aberdeen City Libraries by Mr William Finney of Banchory so that we could create and preserve a digital copy for public use. These three photographs were kept by Mr Finney's family and he hopes to find out more about the people shown in them. If you can shed any light on these images please get in touch using the comment button on the left. Mr Finney was born in Turriff and the images likely relate to that area of Aberdeenshire.
Mr Finney believes the figure in the middle of this image may have been called Stephen Lorimer. This is uncertain however, as is any detail of the location shown. The image may relate to a local ploughing competition or event of this nature.
The figure in the background on the right of the image looks a lot like one of the five workers from Pitglassie shown in another of Mr Finney's images. This strongly suggests this image too is taken at, or connected to, the area and farms of Pitglassie in the Parish of Auchterless.
F. G. Main was an Aberdeen based photographer. Searches in old newspapers do not reveal a great deal about his career, however. As indicated on this card, he had premises in the New Market in Aberdeen town centre. Post office directories suggest this was numbers 39 and 40 in the gallery of the New Market.
Main also appears to have been active as the Electric Studio at 66 St. Nicholas Street. Additionally, searches indicate he operated studios at Aberdeen Sea Beach and at 47 Wellgate in Dundee. Richard D. Torrance in his Photographers in North-Eastern Scotland to 1914 (2001) has entries for both a F. G. Main and a Frank Main. These are likely one and the same photographer.
A newspaper notice for the birth of a son in 1914 indicates that F. G. Main lived at 245 Great Western Road at one time. We can find no obituary for the photographer. A cursory search of statutory records reveals that a Frank G. Main died in Aberdeen aged 65 in 1946. This may be the photographer in question. Aberdeen Theatres: His Majesty's Theatre in 1936
3360 The exterior of His Majesty's Theatre on Rosemount Viaduct in May 1936.
Buses line the street outside the building. This is a summer line up of Aberdeen registered touring buses together with their smartly dressed drivers. The destinations of the vehicles include Lossiemouth and Killiekrankie.
The sign above HMT's main entrance advertises showings of two films: In Person with Ginger Rogers and George Brent and Old Gay Dog, about a vet played by Edward Rigby. These screenings were accompanied by a "singing, dancing and orchestral Irish scene" performed on the stage.
More regular film showings at HMT, and superior equipment to do so, were introduced by James F. Donald after he purchased the theatre in 1932.
The fine ionic columned building to the left of the image was originally known as the South United Free Church and later as St Marks Church. The Central Library is beyond. John Duguid Milne
4372 A photographic portrait of John Duguid Milne (1822-1889), an Aberdeen advocate.
On 20th March 1883 Milne read a paper titled The success of free public libraries in industrial towns, and the necessity for a free public library in Aberdeen to the Philosophical Society of Aberdeen. The paper was also published by the society as a pamphlet shortly afterwards. A copy of this paper is held by Aberdeen Local Studies.
Milne draws together the experiences of free public libraries from England and around Scotland. He also points to the example and popularity of John Anderson's library in Woodside, which had opened in 1881.
In the section 'Who should move for a free library?' Milne writes:
"The Free Library is not especially for the wealthy, nor even for the well-to-do, but for the people, for the industrial classes; and it is for the industrial classes themselves to say if they want it. They have also the power in their hands, as they form a majority of the ratepayers." (page 17).
Milne was the director and legal advisor of Aberdeen's Mechanics' Institute. He ends his paper by stating that should the Public Libraries Act be adopted by Aberdeen, the Mechanics' Institute was prepared to hand over to the Free Public Library their whole stock of books and their substantial premises on Market Street.
Milne's paper, and the offer within, was likely a determining factor in the initiation, and ultimate success, of Professor Alexander Bain (1818-1903) and Baillie George Walker (1821-1910) putting forward a motion for the adoption of the Public Libraries Act at a meeting in the Music Hall on 25th March 1884. This meeting took place around a year after the first reading of Milne's paper.
Opening in March 1886, the Mechanics' Institute building did become the first location of Aberdeen's new Free Public Library and its collection of books formed the core of its stock. If you look at some of the older items in the collection of Aberdeen City Libraries today, stamp marks for the Mechanics' Institute can still be seen. Aberdeen Market 11 - Taste of Hong Kong
4387 A Roddy Millar photograph of the seating area of the Taste of Hong Kong café in the Aberdeen Market building.
This image shows the day-to-day lay-out of the café and its distinctive wall mural featuring an iconic Hong Kong junk boat.
Taste of Hong Kong offered highly rated Asian cuisine to their customers and continue to do so. The restaurant now operates just off Union Street at 28 Adelphi. It is one of several businesses to find success after the closure of the market building.
Photograph taken on 27/02/2019. G. W. Wilson & Co.'s advertising stamps c.1887
162 Prominent nineteenth century photographer George Washington Wilson had these stamps created to celebrate and advertise a new partnership with his three sons in 1887. The portrait in the centre of the stamp is of Wilson and the initials of the four partners can be seen in the corners. Roger Taylor in his 1981 work on Wilson reports that the postal authorities took exception to the stamps' likeness to the real thing and ordered them to be withdrawn. Treasure 3: Aberdeen Public Library Bye-laws, 1906
170 In 1906 the Public Library Committee of Aberdeen City created a series of bye-laws that outlined the management of the library and the behaviour required of all library users. Aberdeen City Libraries have retained a copy of the original document in our Local Studies collection.
The document is informative on the then organisation of the library and also provides an at times comical insight into the attitudes and lifestyle at the beginning of the century.
Bye-law number 38, in the general section, states: "No audible conversation shall be permitted in the Library rooms, nor shall any person be allowed to partake of refreshments, to whistle, smoke, spit, strike matches, or bring a dog therein. Loitering or rambling about the premises is strictly prohibited; and no person shall be permitted to lie on the benches or chairs, to sleep in any room, or to interfere with the arrangements for conducting the Library".
Bye-law number 23 states, in no uncertain terms, that: "On the occurrence of any infectious disease in their homes, Borrowers shall give up any books in their possession to the Sanitary Inspector of the Burgh, and shall be debarred from borrowing until they shall produce to the Librarian a medical certificate of health."
If you would like to read more of the library bye-laws please visit Local Studies in the Central Library. Just do not let us catch you whistling or rambling on the premises! The Execution of William Allan
172 This broadside details the life, crime and execution of William Allan. He was executed in Aberdeen on Friday the 10th February, of an unspecified year, for the murder of Alexander M'Kay.
The sheet gives an account of Allan's life and speculates on how he came to this unhappy fate. The account contains themes common to crime and punishment broadsides of bad company, alcohol and a disregard of parental authority. There is also at times an unexpected similarity to modern crime reporting: "We do not think that the annals of crime furnish an example of a murder perpetrated from so small a temptation as that which operated on the mind of Allan, who was aware, before he committed the deed, that the victim of it possessed only the paltry sum of thirty-five shillings."
One passage which describes Allan's appeal to the advanced age of his victim recalls the justifications of Dostoyevsky's Raskolnikov: "He even arraigned the justice of his sentence on the ground that he had only taken away a life which would, in a short time, have terminated from the effects of indisposition and old age."
Allan is initially unrepentant and rude to the assembled clergy but then makes a last minute appeal for religious assistance on the morning of his execution.
Unfortunately, unlike Raskolnikov and Sonya in Siberia, there was no hope of redemption for Allan - at least not in this life: "After hanging the usual time, the body was cut down, and delivered to the doctors." Treasure 10:The War against Japan
180 August 14th is the official Victory over Japan Day in the UK. It marks the surrender of the Japanese in 1945 and an end to the major conflicts of World War II.
As one of our treasures for August we have chosen the five volumes of The War against Japan by Major-General S. Woodburn Kirby. It is part of the British Government's official history of the Second World War. The series was written for the most part between the 1950s and 1990s. It was published by Her Majesty's Stationary Office (HMSO). Known as The History of the Second World War, the project was a vast undertaking and is divided into the different theatres of operation.
The War against Japan comprises volumes called The Loss of Singapore (1957), India's Most Dangerous Hour (1958), The Decisive Battles (1961), The Reconquest of Burma (1965) and The Surrender of Japan (1969). The focus of the volumes is on the conflict in the Indian Ocean as this is where the British military were most involved. The books are a work of remarkable ambition and scholarship and contain photographs of major figures, annotated images and detailed colour maps (an example of which can be seen on the left).
The War against Japan is kept in our Reference Reserve Stock alongside many of the other first editions of The History of the Second World War series, such as Grand Strategy, The War at Sea and The Mediterranean and Middle East, and comparable works like Winston Churchill's own five volume history of the war. The Reference Reserve is a treasure trove of scholarship. There are lifetimes of reading and learning on the shelves.
We hope this treasure acts as a small commemoration to all those who suffered in the war and also as an indication of the vast and interesting stock that we are unable to display to the public. If you would like to see more of The War against Japan, or any of our reserve stock items, please come and visit the Central Library and we will be happy to help you do so. Treasure 52: Press and Journal and Evening Express Strike Editions
227 The General Strike of 3 to 13 May 1926 was a significant event in Britain's social history and affected the whole country. Strike editions of newspapers from the period provide an insight into the way of life in a time of national unrest. In our collections, we hold the strike editions of local newspapers The Aberdeen Press and Journal and The Evening Express which report on the General Strike and how it affected people in the north east of Scotland. The Press and Journal Strike editions were published between 5 and 10 May and The Evening Express Strike editions were published between the 4 and 7 May.
Beginning with the coal industry, the General Strike quickly spread to other industries including transport (railways, sea transport, harbours, canals, docks, roads) and production industries (iron and steel, chemicals) and the building trade. The printing trade, including the press, was also affected by the strike. On 4 May, The Press and Journal and The Evening Express published a short article stating that they "may be unable to produce the usual issues of [the] newspapers" during the strike. Many newspapers failed indeed to appear as only 'skeleton staff' were available.
During the strikes period, most of the local papers were published in a much smaller format but were still hugely popular as the main source of news. Aberdeen newspapers Ltd., the company publisher for both The Press and Journal and The Evening Express, distributed a substantial number of issues. The few employees not on strike took charge of the publication, typing out the news and dispatching issues across the city. The news was passed out through a single sheet of paper and was sold for between a halfpenny and 1p. The papers were very popular and shared updates on the strike and the number of people volunteering in Aberdeen. In addition to strike news, the editions also reported on other local news and current topics including fish markets and cricket scores.
Some of the copies in our collection feature the names and addresses of relatives living outside the city, suggesting that people with access to the newspapers distributed them to relatives and friends in a wider geographical area.
Do you know that you can access millions of digitised articles from British newspapers for free in any of our libraries? The British Newspaper Archive is a gateway to the past, offering access to thousands of historical newspaper articles about issues such as The General Strike. Access the resource from any PC in the library via the Aberdeen City Libraries website. Stewart Park
308 Opened in 1894, Stewart Park was named after the then Aberdeen Lord Provost, David Stewart. The area was land acquired from the Hilton Estate and was designed to be used by all ages. Three disused quarries were filled in and landscaped as small lakes stocked with fish.
Mrs Taylor, a widow of a Woodside merchant, left £500 to the park, especially for the purpose of becoming the Taylor Playground for children, in memory of her husband. Mrs Taylor was honoured with the memorial fountain by the Aberdeen Town Council.
Although the park may not have the small lakes, and fewer flower beds than when it first opened, it is still widely used, and as stated by the Lord Provost at the opening ceremony "It would be a thing of joy and beauty forever" to the people of Woodside.
Soon after the opening of Stewart Park, cricket clubs were formed. The park was home to many clubs, and memories of the park suggest that as many as twenty games of cricket would be in play at any one time. These games obviously paid off because Woodside Cricket Club won the Aberdeenshire Cup in 1957.
Other popular pursuits were the Woodside Football Club, the Grandholm Choir and the Woodside and District Cycling Club. The Cycling Club began in the early 30's, but had to disband during the Second World War. After the war, Joe Dunn, a cycle shop owner and a previous member, tried to restart the club.
This image is a James Valentine postcard. Treasure 102: Newhills Convalescent Home and Sanatorium
323 Aberdeen City Libraries has a large and significant collection of historic photographs. This month we are highlighting a collection of images of Newhills Convalescent Home and Sanatorium in the 1930s.
The album contains 58 photographs of the home's buildings, grounds, staff and patients. The institution is shown at different times of the year and celebrating special occasions. The majority of the images are delightful portraits. We do not have names for the individuals shown but the pictures convey a sense of the life and community of the home. If you are able to identify any of those photographed, we would be pleased to hear from you. The Newhills Convalescent Home was founded by Christian Catherine Smith in 1874. She was the wife of Rev. James Smith, the minister of Newhills Parish Church. It was shortly after arriving in the parish that she recognised the potential for a place for ill people to come to rest and regain their health. Annual newspaper reports on the home described its purpose as being for "the benefit of respectable persons in humble life who appear to be failing into dishealth, or are convalescing after non-infectious ailments."
The convalescent home was started at Dykeside Cottage in Newhills. It was a great success and operated at this location for 7 years. In 1882 a new building just north of the parish church was constructed to meet the rising demand for treatment. By 1900 patients with tuberculosis were admitted, with the home operating a sanatorium department from 1902.
Learn more about this Home's history in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreen. Guest Treasure: Design Team (Public Buildings) Architectural Drawings
338 Our guest treasure this month is the collection of architectural drawings held by Aberdeen City Council's Design Team (Public Buildings).
Design Team (Public Buildings) is a Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) chartered practice with a team of qualified Architects, Architectural Staff and Quantity Surveyors. Their aim is to support and provide a sustainable built environment in Aberdeen based on principles of design excellence, social wellbeing, environmental responsibility and value for public money.
Over the years Aberdeen City Council has collected thousands of architectural drawings. They are used by the Design Teams to inform alterations to existing buildings and demolitions. The Design Team's (Public Buildings) collection contains drawings of many of Aberdeen's best known structures. These include: The Beach Ballroom, The Music Hall, The Bon-Accord Baths, the Maritime Museum and the Central Library.
The collected drawings are an important resource used in the Design Team's work and therefore are not publicly accessible. Although the public do not have access to this collection, many historic architectural drawings are available to consult at the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives and Local Studies at Aberdeen City Libraries. If you would like assistance locating this type of material, please contact us at localstudies@aberdeencity.gov.uk. Treasure 116: Aberdeen Dance Festival Week 16-20 August 1948 Souvenir Brochure
339 This treasure is a souvenir brochure and programme for the first Aberdeen Dance Festival Week, held from 16 - 20 August 1948, which aimed "to make Aberdeen Scotland's mecca for good dancing". It was staged by the directors of the Palais de Danse dance hall and organised by the managing director, Mr. Ernest A. Bromberg. This delightful brochure describes competitions such as the Novice 3-Dance, Pre-amateur 4-Dance and Team Dancing Championship, gives details of the panel of adjudicators, and features adverts for local dancing schools.
It also includes a personal message from Mr Bromberg who stated "Since the inception of the Palais de Dance it has been my consistent desire to do everything possible to encourage a greater incentive to improve Ballroom Dancing and to provide facilities to make dancing a popular and healthy form of recreation, exercise, and entertainment". The Palais de Dance in Diamond Street was believed to be the oldest principal ballroom in Aberdeen, dating back to the mid-1920s.
In 1965 it underwent an extensive interior reconstruction at a cost of £75,000 with a new lounge bar, rounding of the dance floor from its previous square shape, and a circular balcony to watch the dancers. It became Raffles night club in 1976.
If you have memories of dancing in Aberdeen or any booklets/brochures on the subject, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact our Local Studies department at the Central Library.
Find out more about dancing in Aberdeen and see some fantastic images in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreen. |