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Beach Bathing Station
99 The interior of the Beach Bathing Station, where generations of Aberdonians learnt to swim in the fresh water pool. The Bathing Station was designed by City Architect, John Rust, and opened on 13th July 1898. A distinctive red brick chimney dominated the beach skyline. The Bathing Station was eventually filled in and demolished, the door having finally closed to the public on 11th July 1972. Treasure 35: Notes and Jottings of G.M. Fraser
2323 George Milne Fraser had a lifelong interest and expertise in local history; delivering talks (as seen in the December 2015 Treasure), publishing books and numerous letters and articles in the local press. His 'Notes and Jottings' collection comprise over 70 volumes, mostly hand written (including a form of shorthand), which are a treasure trove of information about the local area.
Within these notebooks are newspaper articles and advertisements, photographs, personal correspondence, sketches and many other interesting bits and pieces. Library staff have compiled an index to this invaluable resource and consult it on a regular basis when researching enquiries. It is quite a challenge deciphering his handwriting sometimes!
As a journalist by profession, G. M. Fraser retained his talent for writing and contributed articles to the Aberdeen Free Press, Bon Accord and Northern Pictorial, Evening Gazette, and journals such as the Deeside Field.
His contributions to local literature began in 1904 with the publication of The Green. Historical Aberdeen appeared the following year and after Aberdeen Street Names in 1911 the Town Clerk Depute wrote to Fraser with the words "We must now regard you as our Principal Historian".
The Life and Work of G. M. Fraser
G. M. Fraser was appointed city librarian in 1899 and was the second public librarian in Aberdeen. He can be seen on the far right of this image from the library archive.
His name was known all over the north east and he was mentioned in the chorus of one of Harry Gordon's popular songs, The Auldest Aiberdonian: "I ken lots o' stories G. M. Fraser disna ken". On 30 October 1923 he gave a 15 minute talk on the radio about Castlegate, becoming the first librarian in Aberdeen to make a radio broadcast.
During his term of office there were many developments in the Library service:
- The Central Library was extended in 1905 to include a new reading room
- Branch reading rooms and delivery stations were established throughout the city
- The Juvenile Library in Skene Street opened in 1911
- Open access was introduced in the Lending Library 1925 (find out more about Open Access libraries in the October treasures!)
- Fraser's strongest legacy is the Local Studies collection, which still contains many of our treasures.
G. M. Fraser was remembered very fondly after his death on 7 June 1938. There were many tributes including one from the Library Committee. Perhaps one of the warmest tributes was paid by his successor as City Librarian, Marcus Milne:
"Somehow the Library and G.M. were one. You could not think of the Library without thinking of that kindly figure who was head of it; and one could not meet him without thinking of the building he graced for so long. Mr Fraser had 2 hobbies and work was both of them. He lived for nothing else. The library was ever uppermost in his thoughts and closely allied to his love for the Library was his great love for things Aberdeen".
Mr Fraser's funeral service was attended by many prominent city officials and floral wreaths included one from Lady Aberdeen with the inscription "In affectionate and grateful remembrance of a much valued friend". He is buried in Springbank Cemetery.
In 1955, Aberdeen's first post-war permanent branch library was opened at Northfield and named the G. M. Fraser Branch Library in his honour.
In further recognition of his contribution to the development of the Library service, a commemorative plaque can be found on the front of the Central Library building. Aberdeen Women's Alliance: Hilda Wernham
2334 A photograph of Hilda Wernham, founder of Aberdeen's Night Shelter for the Homeless, taken from an Evening Express profile of 21st August 1974. Aberdeen Women's Alliance: Catherine Hollingworth
2336 A photograph of Catherine Hollingworth taken from an Evening Express profile published 24th May 1968 to mark the occasion of her retirement after 27 years as Director of Aberdeen's Speech and Drama Department. Aberdeen Theatres: A Nicht Wi' Burns
3371 The poster for an event at the Tivoli Theatre featuring the songs and music of Robert Burns. The show commenced on Monday 22nd January 1962 and had two performances nightly.
The show was devised and produced by William Cummings. There was a large bill of performers; Calum Kennedy, Billy Stutt, Irene Campbell, Robbie Shepherd, The Garlogie Four, Ken Swan & McGhee ("Scotland's Greatest Ventriloquist"), The Heatherisle Trio ("Scotch with a Beat"), Anne Fields, Moxon Heatherbelles, Irene Adair, Tommy Wright and Will Starr. Aberdeen Theatres: Walford Bodie
3392 A profile photographic portrait of Aberdeen born magician and entertainer, Walford Bodie (1869-1939).
In the late-Victorian and Edwardian periods, at the height of music hall variety, Dr Walford Bodie M.D. was one of the most famous and highly paid entertainers in Britain.
He remains an enigmatic and charismatic figure in the history of the North East. Born Samuel Murphy Bodie at 33 George Street on 11th June 1869, he was the son of a journeyman baker called William Bodie and his wife Margaret and received his education at Robert Gordon's College.
He went on to become a leading showman, hypnotist, ventriloquist, controversial 'bloodless surgeon' and was billed variously as The Electric Wizard, The Modern Miracle Worker of the North, and The Most Remarkable Man on the Earth.
The medical profession questioned his qualifications and right to the title of doctor. He would respond that his qualifications were from the United States, a country at the forefront of medical science, though he once conceded that the M.D. following his name in fact stood for "Merry Devil".
This photograph comes from a family photograph album, originally owned by Annie "Nan" Henry, held by Aberdeen City Libraries. Ken
3770 A mural by artist KMG depicting of a multi-eyed being, understood to be called Ken, that is advocating respect. This painting is located in the East Green lane under one of the walkways connecting the Indoor Market and Union Street.
This photograph was taken in July 2018.
Pennan
4232 A photograph looking east towards Black Hill and Pennan Head, or Red Head of Pennan, in Buchan. A house called Havenlea can be seen on the hillside.
The village of Pennan and shoreline can be seen in the foreground. Clothes are drying on washing lines and the pier of the harbour is visible in the distance.
Aberdeenshire Council's Conservation Area Profile for the village (June 2022) states that Pennan was once a flourishing fishing village during the 18th and 19th centuries. Changes in the industry and to demand meant that commercial fishing progressively left Pennan following the First World War.
The Pennan Harbour Trust state that the last commercial fishing vessel, the May Lily, left the village after the death of its owner in 2016.
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. James Morison
282 A silhouette profile of James Morison, notorious pill manufacturer. Born 3rd March 1770 at Bognie, Aberdeenshire, he died 3rd May 1840 at his home in Paris. He called himself "The Hygeist". A Nicht Wi' Burns
360 The poster for an event at the Tivoli Theatre featuring the songs and music of Robert Burns. The show commenced on Monday, 22nd January 1962 and had two performances nightly.
The show was devised and produced by William Cummings. There was a large bill of performers; Calum Kennedy, Billy Stutt, Irene Campbell, Robbie Shepherd, The Garlogie Four, Ken Swan & McGhee (Scottish's Greatest Ventriloquist), The Heatherisle Trio (Scotch with a Beat), Anne Fields, Moxon Heatherbelles, Irene Adair, Tommy Wright and Will Starr. |