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Kelman Memorial Church, Culter
996 Kelman Memorial Church, Culter - in 1843 at the Disruption, the Rev. Robert Thomson set up a Free Church congregation in Culter. They worshipped at a building at Contlaw, 3 miles from the village. In 1893, the congregation, under the Rev. John Kelman, agreed that a more central site was required. The foundation stone was laid on 28 April 1894 and the church, designed by John Rust, was opened on 16 February 1895. This snowy scene shows the Norman style of architecture of the church, which was constructed of granite from Rubislaw Quarry, Aberdeen. After the reunion of the Free Church with the Church of Scotland in October 1929, the decision was taken to rename this church the Kelman Memorial Church in remembrance of Rev. Dr. Kelman, who had died only a few months earlier. This left 2 Church of Scotland churches in Culter but, in March 1999, St. Peter's and Kelman Memorial were amalgamated to form Peterculter Parish Church, with this building chosen to continue for the future. St. Peter's may become a heritage museum. The Approach to the Beach and Dance Hall
3125 A postcard showing Links Road leading to the Beach Ballroom and the promenade. Trams are visible in the distance and a bowling green and the beach bandstand seating is shown on the right.
On the left of the image, on Broad Hill, can be seen the tank awarded to Aberdeen for its response to the War Savings campaign during WWI. The tank was formally presented to the Town Council of Aberdeen in March 1920 by the Scottish War Savings Committee in recognition of the £15,000,000 raised by the town and district in war loan investments.
Work to demolish this tank was commenced on 12th October 1937. The Town Council took the decision to remove the tank, to be sold as scrap, as they considered it to be eyesore. Many war relics and trophies around the UK were being removed during this period.
The removal, or not, of the tank had been a contentious issue for some time. An earlier motion to remove the tank in October 1930 was defeated by 23 votes to 9 in the Town Council. Councillor Beaton, who seconded this earlier motion, suggested it was "a reminder of the horrors of war".
The history of the tank, and debates around its merits, can be found in old local newspapers. A Press & Journal article from 28th August 1930, page 7, indicates that the tank was called Behemoth.
This image most likely dates from the late 1920s or the 1930s. Newhills Convalescent Home and Sanitorium
3810 A group portrait of patients and staff at the Newhills Convalescent Home and Sanatorium in the 1930s.
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. The couple lived in the nearby church manse. Christian grew up in North Ayrshire and demonstrated concern for the welfare of others from a young age.
Christian married James Smith on 14th April 1869 and it was shortly after arriving in the parish that she recognised the potential of the place as somewhere ill people could come to rest and regain their health. The convalescent home was subsequently started at Dykeside Cottage. It was a great success and operated at this location for 7 years.
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."
In 1908 Christian Smith stepped down as head of the home due to ill health and was replaced by a publicly elected executive board. This was led for many years by Dr. Walter A. Reid and during his tenure the institute was modernised and extended.
In 1948 the home was incorporated into the National Health Service. Due to issues of staffing and its unsuitability during winter, the decision was taken to close the home. Patients were transferred to other local hospitals and in the same year the home was sold to Aberdeen Town Council.
The buildings were subsequently operated as a home for the elderly and homeless until March 1980 when it was sold into private hands.
After leaving the manse in 1917, Christian Catherine Smith, the founder of the home, lived at 2 West Craibstone Street. She died there on 6th December 1924 aged 81. She was buried at Newhills Church and the then minister Rev. Andrew Currie led a memorial service. He described the Newhills Convalescent Home as "an institution not only for the healing of bodies, but a place for the comfort of hearts and the cure of souls." Christian Smith's name can still be seen today in one of the church's stained-glass windows. Treasure 15: Tramways routes
185 This plan of the tramway routes in Aberdeen was produced about 1914 and shows the route colours which were displayed as coloured bands on the top-deck of the Corporation tramcars. There were nine routes which covered most of the city as it existed at this time.
Trams were first introduced to Aberdeen in the 1870s when a group of local businessmen successfully obtained Parliamentary sanction under the Aberdeen District Tramways Act 1872 to set up the Aberdeen District Tramways Company. By 1874, they had constructed their first two lines - one running from Queen's Cross, via Albyn Place and Union Street, to the North Church (now Aberdeen Arts Centre), King Street and the second from St Nicholas Street and George Street to Kittybrewster.
Their horse-drawn trams were opened to the public in September 1874 with two cars which could each carry 20 inside passengers and 4 cars for 20 inside and 20 outside passengers. A fare of 3d was charged for the full route. In their first year they carried 1.1 million passengers.
Over the years additional routes were constructed to Woodside, Mannofield, Bridge of Dee, and Bridge of Don.
By the late 1890s, consideration was being given to the introduction of electric traction in place of horse haulage. After lengthy discussions, the decision was made to sell the company to Aberdeen Corporation and the transfer was completed in August 1898. By 1902 all the tracks had been converted to electric traction and new routes to Torry and Ferryhill were opened in 1903.
Motor buses had first appeared in 1920 and a service from Castle Street to Footdee opened in January 1921.
By the 1930s the expansion of the city was creating problems for the tramway system. It was far too expensive to build new track while maintaining the existing routes. The non-profitable Torry and Ferryhill services closed in 1931. The ongoing housing developments in the 1950s forced the Town Council to take the decision in January 1955 that the tramway system would close by 1959. Over the next few years individual routes ceased until the last trams ran in May 1958. Most of the remaining cars were burnt at the Links and the metal was sold for scrap.
Treasure 41: Mary Garden Record Collection
210 We hold a number of original vinyl records in our collections, including those of Mary Garden, a local girl who found global fame as an opera singer in the early 20th Century.
Born at 35 Charlotte Street on 20 February 1874, Mary Garden left her native Aberdeen around the age of nine when the family moved to America in search of better opportunities and a new life.
After a period of uncertainty and several moves, a young Mary accepted a role as a childminder in Chicago, with payment taking the form of singing lessons to further her obvious interest. By 1896, Mary had shown sufficient progress that she accompanied her tutor to Paris in a quest to pursue a career in opera.
Mary's first big break came in 1900, when she performed in the new opera, Louise after the main star became unwell. A series of leading roles followed in 1901, including Thaïs, Manon and Madame Chrysanthème. For the next decade, Mary courted both limelight and controversy as she portrayed leading characters on stage, while being romantically linked to various composers and directors off-stage. Adding fuel to these fires of speculation, Claude Debussy chose Garden to create the title role of his new play, Mélisande, overruling the preference of his own librettist.
At the outbreak of the First World War, Mary attempted to enlist in the French army - but with her identity discovered, she instead turned to nursing at a hospital in Versailles. When she returned to America, she continued to raise funds for the French Red Cross. Her efforts during both war and peacetime generated awards from Serbia and France.
Mary appeared in two silent films - the first released in 1918 - but she found difficulty adapting to the new medium and this separate career never took off. She returned to her first passion and continued to perform in opera until the mid-1930s.
In 1921, Mary was offered the role of director of the Chicago Opera Association, and as she was still performing - undertook both roles with fervour. Under her tenure, the Association took on many new and exciting artists and works.
At the outbreak of war in 1939, Mary chose to remain in Paris, until the German invasion forced her to escape, leaving all of her possessions behind. In June 1940, she returned to Aberdeen but the lure of teaching the next operatic generation proved too strong and she once again travelled to America to coach young stars and give lectures in 1949-1950.
By this time, it appears that Mary's memory had started to suffer - evidenced by the 1951 autobiographical publication Mary Garden's Story which was riddled with factual errors. The book received disastrous reviews and possibly led to her decision to reside permanently in Aberdeen from 1954.
Mary died in 1967 in the House of Daviot, a country hospital near Inverurie, aged 92. Fifty friends attended a small ceremony. A small commemorative plaque is located at 41 Dee Street where the Garden family lived, and a small garden is dedicated to her memory in Craigie Loanings.
Although she remains relatively little known in her native Aberdeen, Mary's legacy is considerable in the United States - particularly in Chicago where her stewardship of the Opera Association is still remembered fondly.
Treasure 55: Punch
230 The first edition of the satirical magazine Punch was published on 17 July 1841. The title being derived from a conversation between the founders who claimed that - just as the alcoholic drink of the same name - the magazine would be nothing without Lemon (Punch's first editor was named Mark Lemon).
Despite a difficult start of low circulation figures, the success of the magazine was ensured with the decision to publish an annual edition, or Almanack. Copies of these soared and shortly after the magazine was taken over by the printing firm of Bradbury and Evans whereupon it entered its golden age.
Modern satirical magazines - such as Private Eye or the French publication Charlie Hebdo - often purposefully push the boundaries of good taste in order to land a searing political blow of maximum impact. In the Victorian age, Punch attempted to capture the mood of the public in tasteful, yet no-less provocative terms.
Punch frequently used illustrations to highlight contemporary problems in a stark visual manner. So much so in fact, that it can claim to have changed the English language in the process. The original definition of the word cartoon meant simply a preliminary drawing for a work of art - similar to "sketch" - with no additional meaning. However, the word took on the additional connotation of being applied to humour with the publication of Punch's 'Cartoon No.1 - Substance and Shadow'.
The enduring popularity of the magazine is in many ways, inextricably linked to its own downfall. With changing appetites for publications and satire, Punch desperately needed to keep re-inventing itself, but seen by many as a national institution, change was far from easy. Eventually the magazine succumbed to the pressure of low circulation and finally ceased publication in 2002, leaving behind 160 years of humour and wit.
Punch's lasting legacy is a snapshot of opinion on some key historic events from the preceding decades - notably including coronations, scandals, wars, budgets, coalitions and many other subjects high on the political agenda. Treasure 62: City of Aberdeen Links and Sea Beach Layout Plan showing Proposed Development (August 1923)
238 In its heyday Aberdeen attracted visitors from all over the UK and established itself as one of Britain's leading holiday resorts. This is the Links and Sea Beach Development Plan of 1923 which ultimately led to the transformation of Aberdeen into a first class holiday resort.
In September 1919, Aberdeen Town Council took the decision to develop and improve Aberdeen Beach with the construction of a large entertainments building comprising a concert hall, restaurant, dining room, dance hall and lounge, beach pavilion and two shopping arcades.
Messrs. Roberts and Hume of Bathgate were chosen to design the proposed scheme in 1926, at an estimated cost of £42,717. The final design incorporated all requested features excluding the shopping arcades, but the dance hall - known now as Aberdeen Beach Ballroom - became one of the finest dance halls in Scotland. Voters for Mr. Bannerman!
486 A broadside from 10th August 1832 inviting the eligible of Aberdeen to register as electors and to support Mr. Bannerman.
Alexander M. Munro in Memorials of the Aldermen, Provosts, and Lord Provosts of Aberdeen (1897) states that Sir Alex Bannerman of Elsick (1788-1864) won the elections in December 1832 after his opponent James Hadden retired from the contest.
Bannerman became the first M.P. for Aberdeen after the Reform Bill enactment passed in July 1832. This allowed the city to elect its own representative in the Parliament instead of voting for a member as part of a larger group of burghs.
The Aberdeen Journal explained that this act also prescribed that all eligible electors would receive a printed blank claim or schedule when applying for voting, as this historical document also states.
This broadside, printed at the Aberdeen Herald Office by G. Cornwall, indicates that the registration office was located at 27 Adelphi. "We Did It!" Witnesses' Glee
490 This broadside pokes fun at a Parliamentary decision made over Aberdeen's railways. Parodying William Shakespeare's Macbeth, it presents a scene taking place in the lobby of the House of Commons following a recent "Railway Case".
The broadside is undated and the personae dramatis are identified only as "J", "B" and "O". The lack of detail makes it difficult to establish the exact case to which this relates. If you can clarify this matter, please get in touch using the comment button located below the image.
The broadside concludes with an echo from "the Electors of Aberdeen." This suggests a connection to electoral politics, but details beyond this are unclear. Brief Scene From A Drama
491 This satirical broadside presents the first act of a drama probably realised by a private citizen to denounce a current political issue. The first character of the drama, called "Ed.", sees no solution other than death to escape disgrace. He has not been able to prevent the "vile Duncan" from obtaining the favour of the people, despite Ed.'s numerous efforts. A High Civic Dignitary (whose name is "P--t") and his Clique, represented as rather naïve, try to ascertain whether Ed. is effectively deceased.
Unfortunately, since this document lacks a date or proper names, it is hard to understand exactly what matter it is addressing. The words "Links", "Duncan", "petition", "train" suggest that the broadside may refer to a rivalry between two competing railway companies' directors which occurred in 1856. Mr. Duncan (John Duncan), mentioned twice by the first character, had appealed to the public to obtain permission to build his railway line on the Links. He was denounced by his opponent for not having followed the legitimate procedure of lodging a Parliament Plan. More details on the question can be found in a broadside from our collection titled "Taking Lawless Possession", available here. To the Independent Electors and Friends of the Country, the Constitution, and the Queen
492 This broadside from 2nd August 1837 implores those eligible to vote for William Gordon (1784-1858) in the upcoming General Election.
It suggests that Gordon's opponent, Thomas Burnett, was attempting to mislead the electorate. Gordon, a Conservative, held his Aberdeenshire seat from 1820 to 1854. The broadside informs the electorate that Gordon is a friend of farmers because he supports the Corn Laws.
In parliament, Gordon advocated for separate banking systems for England and Scotland. He also worked to prevent illicit distillation and increase legal distillery trades. Gordon was Lord of the Admiralty, chief of the British Navy, from 1841 to 1846.
The broadside was printed on a Wednesday. The Monday preceding, the nominations for candidates had been opened. When Gordon was nominated, 'he was heartily hissed' and had unpleasantries expressed towards him.
Sir Thomas Burnett (1778-1849), 8th Baronet of Leys, was the Whig candidate and was so well received by the crowds at the nominations that proceedings were delayed for several minutes. (London Courier and Evening Gazette, 4th August 1837, p. 3). Burnett's obituary in the Aberdeen Herald (3rd March 1849, p. 3) indicates that he was a long-standing advocate of parliamentary reform. In the election, Burnett received 807 votes to Gordon's 1,220. (Perthshire Courier, 10th August 1837).
In the text, Gordon's support of Hanover refers to his support of Queen Victoria's familial line, which traces itself to Hanover. Gordon accuses Burnett of wanting to rid Britain of Hanoverians while professing to support the Queen. The Aberdeen Herald was dismayed at the news of Burnett's defeat in the election over the issue (London Courier, 8th August 1837, p. 3).
This broadside was printed by R. King of Peterhead.
Other broadsides referring to Gordon can be found here. Taking lawless possession
493 This broadside, dated 13th June 1856, relates to a rivalry between two competing railway companies' directors, James Adam, the author of the document, and John Duncan, his opponent. The Aberdeen Journal referred to this quarrel as "the case of the rival Buchan lines", begun in April that year. Both Mr. Adam's scheme, the "Formartine and Buchan line", and Mr. Duncan's, the "Aberdeen, Peterhead, and Fraserburgh scheme", failed to obtain permission to proceed until 1858, when Mr. Adam finally succeeded.
The broadside specifically addresses the question of the Links Branch, included in Mr. Duncan's scheme. According to the Aberdeen Journal, the Head Court of the inhabitants was meant to express its opinion on the matter on Saturday 14th June. Apparently, Mr. Duncan wanted to act before obtaining an approval from the Magistrates, and issued a Hand-Bill to complain of having been prevented from "staking off what he says are the Boundaries of his Line on the Links". Mr. Adam accused Mr. Duncan of being a "Dictator of Public Opinion" and reminds him that he cannot proceed without officially lodging a Parliamentary Plan.
Mr. Duncan tried to bypass the Magistrates appealing to the public opinion for his advantage, and was therefore publicly denounced by Mr. Adam. This document provides an interesting instance of how dynamics between private citizens and authorities worked in relation to public matters. Grand reform meeting held at Aberdeen, 18th May 1832
530 A colourised lithographed sketch of the Grand Reform Meeting that took place on Broad Hill, Aberdeen on Friday 18th May 1832.
Popular and parliamentary support for electoral reform had been growing across the United Kingdom in this period. At the time, only a small number of wealthy landowners had the right to vote, the franchise was geographically inconsistent, and the representation by members of parliament was out-dated.
This Aberdeen meeting, like many that took place around the country at the time, was organised following the House of Lords blocking the Third Reform Bill of Prime Minister Charles Grey (1764-1845), 2nd Earl Grey, and the subsequent resignation of Grey and his Whig ministers.
Newspaper accounts of the meeting indicate that attendees had just learnt that the Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), a Tory opponent to reform, had been unable to form a government following the resignation of the Whigs and an invitation from King William IV, and that the monarch had recalled Earl Grey.
Organised by prominent local supporters of electoral reform, the Reform Committee, the meeting agreed seven resolutions for presentation to parliament including the following: consternation at the bill not being passed, support of Earl Grey and colleagues, agreement to withholding national supplies (funding) from the government until the bill is passed, and that Joseph Hume (1777-1855), then MP for Middlesex, present the petition instead of the member for the Aberdeen boroughs, Horatio Ross (1801-1886), who was accused of backsliding on reform.
The report in the following day's Aberdeen Chronicle newspaper suggest the meeting was attended by 30,000 to 40,000 people. The Tory-leaning Aberdeen Journal, in its issue of Wednesday 23rd May 1832, page 2, gives an estimate of 15,000 to 20,000.
Contingents of various trades began to muster at Union Street West at about 1.30pm. A large procession proceeded east along the street and were joined by the Reform Committee from the Royal Hotel, 63 Union Street, located just after the junction with Market Street.
The full procession, with the Committee at its head and joined by deputations from the country, travelled to the Links via Castle Street, King Street, Frederick Street and Constitution Street. Several bands accompanied the procession and there were a large number of banners with reform slogans.
On the motion of Reverend William Jack (1768-1854), principal of King's College, Sir Michael Bruce of Stenhouse and Scotstown (1798-1862) was called to chair the meeting. John Angus (1799-1878), an advocate and later Town Clerk of Aberdeen, was the secretary.
Speakers included General Andrew Leith Hay of Rannes (1785-1862), Alexander Bannerman (1788-1864), Sir John Forbes of Craigievar (1785-1846), Alexander Blackie, banker, Thomas Burnett, younger of Leys (1778-1849), John M. Gerrard of Midstrath, Alexander Kilgore, surgeon, James Forbes of Echt, Alexander Stronach of Drumallan, James Nicol, advocate, William Allardyce, wine merchant, Harry Leith Lumsden of Auchindour, William Moir of Park and Alexander Forbes of Ainslie.
Both the account in the Aberdeen Chronicle and the speeches on the day remark on the disruptive potential of the crowd, under circumstances of reform not being progressed. Though the speakers urged those in attendance to continue in a peaceful manner.
Some speakers compared the fight for electoral reform to that for religious freedom in Scotland. There is explicit and repeated support given for William VI, but the Duke of Wellington is considered an inappropriate progressor of reform. The return of Earl Grey is promoted.
Faced with the prospect of William VI ennobling new Whig members of the House of Lords, Tory opponents of the Third Reform Bill abstained from votes and it passed through the upper house. The Representation of the People Act 1832 was given royal assent on 7th June 1832, and its Scottish equivalent around the same time, and came into law.
The Act was a substantial reform of Britain's antiquated electoral system, redistributing seats and changing the conditions of the franchise, but still left most people without the vote. Subsequent popular and parliamentary politics would led to further legislation and the fuller suffrage of modern times.
Document dimensions: 26 x 40 cm. |