Subject matches "Recreation" or its children

488 items

Aberdeen Beach

A George Washington Wilson photograph (no. 4045) showing Aberdeen beach in the late 19th century. Bathing machines (also called bathings huts) can be seen at the water's edge. These were drawn to and from the sea by horses, as can be seen in the image. There were about 30 machines on the beach at any one time and male and female bathing areas were segregated. In 1933 the horses were retired and the machines served as static changing huts until 1954. They were then kept in storage and later offered for public sale as mementos of a bygone bathing era.

Seaton Park Racecourse, 1928

This image shows one of the last races in Seaton Park at a meeting held on Saturday 22nd and Monday 24th September 1928. Horse racing had taken place in the city regularly in the 19th century when there was a racecourse at the Links. Its popularity had declined but racing was revived in Seaton Park in 1923 when 30,000 people attended. The 1928 Meeting was not a great success since less than 1000 spectators attended on the Saturday, although 3000 attended on the Monday despite intermittent rain. The entrance fee to the ground was 1/6 (seven and a half pence) and to the Paddock 4 shillings (20p) with licensed bars, refreshments and teas available. The fields were not large with only 5 runners in the main events. The Bon Accord Handicap, run over 7 furlongs, had prize money of 25 sovereigns. The last race on the Monday was the Consolation Handicap (for beaten horses). Only 3 horses ran, with "Lolita" winning by 6 lengths. The third horse "Peggy Maitland" was so far behind that her owner/jockey had to walk her past the post. An application made in 1956 to restart horse racing was turned down by the Town Council.

Children paddling at the beach

Portrait of children paddling at the beach. Note the boy with a hoop, centre of photograph.

Aberdeen Bathing Station

The Beach Bathing Station opened on 13th July 1898, replacing an earlier bathing establishment. This image shows the western, landward, side of the Victorian red brick building with its prominent chimney stack that stood 70 feet high. At the time of opening the pool was described as the largest in Scotland. It measured 90 feet by 35 feet and 3 to 7 feet in depth. The pool was salt water up until 1958 before changing to freshwater. Facilities included a water chute, a 9 foot diving board and a spring board at pool level. Despite a renovation in 1964 its gradual deteriorating condition and decline in use led to its closure in July 1972 and the building was subsequently demolished.

Switchback railway

Ripley's Patent Switchback Railway drew a large crowd when it opened in July 1889. Built almost entirely of wood, it was situated on The Inches, on reclaimed ground, alongside the Dee, now North Esplanade West. Primitive in construction by present day standards with its straight course of 115 feet, standing 27 feet high, its three drops were 20 feet, 15 feet and 3 feet. Local historian Ed Fowler has been in touch to suggest the background of this image has been edited to remove the industrial skyline of chimneys and works in the Poynernook area that would have formed the backdrop for this entertainment.

Gala and Heather Day in the Duthie Park

This Adelphi Series postcard shows the Gala Day taking place in Duthie Park on 21st August 1915. The Gala in Duthie Park and the accompanying Heather Day were both organised to raise funds for the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. The Gala Day is one of largest events ever to take place at the park. It was estimated that between 25,000 and 26,000 people attended. Tickets cost 6 pence (6d) for general admission and 2s 6d for carriages or motor cars. Within the park there was an elaborate programme of entertainment and refreshments organised. Details of the programme were published in a 32 page booklet prior to the event. Upwards of 1,300 people took part in the programme. Gates to the park opened at 3pm and the event officially commence at 3pm with a grand military parade. Lieut-Colonel A. H. Leith of Glenkindie, Garrison Commander, and Lord Provost James Taggart "took the salute" opposite the Hygiea statue. The Gala and Heather Day were organised by a distinct committee; Taggart was its president and Alexander Findlay, Superintendent of Cleansing, was its chairman. Councillor H. J. Gray was the secretary and treasurer and Mr John Lints was his assistant. There were also conveners and secretaries for various sub-committees concerned with aspects like entertainment and refreshments. There was a wide range of entertainment organised for within the park including singing, dancing, gymnastic displays, musical drill, motor cycle gymkhana and bayonet fighting. Various platforms saw performances from acts such as a company lead by D. M. Kinghorn, pierrots directed by Minnie Mearns, Dan Williams, and W. A. Craig's operatic choir. Charles Soutar lead a 500 strong choir of children from the city's public schools. Practically all naval and military units present in the city were represented at the event and individuals from many of them took part in the sporting competitions. The day also included a 5-a-side football and tug of war competition. Preliminary matches for these took place prior to the day at Pittodrie Park. The Gala Day was filmed and this was later shown as part of a special programme at the Picture House on Union Street from the 25th of the month. Over £500 was taken at the gates for the event. Entertainment and refreshments within further increased the figure raised. Heather Day itself generated another £474. This involved over 1,500 vendors going around all parts of the city selling sprigs of the plant. The sale started on the afternoon of the Friday and continued all through Saturday. Entertainment venues throughout the city were also visited. The vendors were primarily young women and members of organisations like the boys brigade. Stores present in all areas of the city were replenished from a central depot at 173a Union Street. This in turn was supplied by the cleansing department buildings in Poynernook Road, where the preceding week had seen 200,000 sprigs prepared for sale. Peterhead, Inverurie, Ellon and Banchory organised their own Heather Days for the same fund. The sum taken from both the Gala and the Heather Day was estimated at considerably over £1,000. See the report in the Aberdeen Journal, Monday 23rd August 1915 page 8, for further details about the occasion.

Golf course

Golf course, Balnagask

Enjoying the Pierrot's entertainment at the Beach, Aberdeen

Enjoying the Pierrot's entertainment at the Beach, Aberdeen

The Pleasure Park

The Pleasure Park at Aberdeen Beach. The famous Scenic railway can be seen in the background. In 1929 the Town Council leased John Henry Iles a piece of ground adjoining the sea front for use as an amusement park. The pleasure park was located on the esplanade south of Wellington Road. Iles' park included rides such as The Caterpillar, The Whip, Water Dodgems, and the Brooklyn Racers (petrol driven cars). The greatest innovation, however, was the scenic railway which rose to 100 feet in the air at its highest point. The local press recorded 21,000 children, between 3 and 14 years of age, carried on the ride on the "Kiddies Day" that was held on Saturday 20th August 1932. The ride was popular throughout the 1930s. It was badly damaged by fire on the night of 5th December 1940 and was subsequently destroyed. Note the tower of St. Clements Church and the row of tenements, likely those on Wellington Street, in the background.

Sunbathing on Aberdeen Beach

The mid-20th century heyday of Aberdeen beach as a tourist destination. Deck chairs were a popular feature of the beach up until the 1980s. They could be hired from three stations, each containing 1,800 chairs. Those with hoods were particularly in demand on sunny days. Like the beach's bathing machines before them, the deck chairs were offered for public sale in 1998. The Beach Shelter, with its clock tower, can also be seen in the background of this image. In addition to sheltering from the wind and rain, it was used as a landmark for reuniting youngsters separated from parents and as a meeting place before nights out at the nearby Beach Ballroom. The shelter, a well-known landmark, was demolished in 1986. Its distinctive clock tower was initially preserved, however, it was later damaged in storage and dismantled. Correspondent Patricia Hamilton has been in touch to identify the group of three located right of centre in this image as her and her family. They are Patricia, her brother Keith Hamilton (standing) and her mother Eileen Hamilton. Patricia and her mother, who is seen reading the day's Press & Journal newspaper, had hired deck chairs to sit on. Another younger brother, Bruce, was with them at the beach but was away making sand castles at the time and so is not shown. Patricia states that in those days, before cheap package holidays, her family never went abroad. Visits to the beach during weekends in the Summer were therefore a welcome break from daily life. Patricia's family lived in Aberdeen and she would often take her two younger brothers to the beach for donkey rides and to visit the fairground.

Aberdeen Ice Rink

This photograph of Aberdeen ice-rink shows a flurry of activity, possibly as a result of the events of 12th July 1940 when an enemy raider was chased over the city by Spitfires from Dyce. The Heinkel eventually crashed in flames over the ice-rink. The rink itself remained desolate after the war, being used as transport depot for a number of years. This oblique aerial photography looks south west and shows the junction of South Anderson Drive, in the centre, and Ruthrieston Road, in the foreground. The Headland Court housing development is now on the site of the ice rink.

Culter Football Club

A team photograph of Culter Football Club from the 1931-32 season. Local historian Brian Coutts has been in touch with names for some of the people shown: The fourth from the left,of the five men in the back row is David Sangster. The middle row, of nine men, starts on the left with T. Emsie, the club secretary. 4th along is G. Petrie and the 5th is Arthur Jackson. The front row, starting again from the left, is A.J. Moir, H. Wilson, L. Cooper, W. Jamieson and an unknown 5th man. Brian also suggests that the trophy at the front might be the Archibald Cup.

Newhills Bowling Club

Newhills Bowling Club, Burndale Road - left to right, George Youngson, Mr. Christie (fruiterer), Mr. Forbes and Don Sutherland.

Newhills Bowling Club

Newhills Bowling Club, Burndale Road - bowling match, Newhills v. Aberdeen Presbytery, 1938.

Stoneywood Mill Sports Day

Stoneywood Mill Sports Day.

Stoneywood Mill Sports Day

Stoneywood Mill Sports Day.

Cluny tug o' war team

A group photographic portrait of the Cluny tug of war team from 1910.

Allan Park Skating Pond, Cults

This wintry scene of iceskaters was taken about 1902/3 in Allan Park, Cults. Allan Park was named after David Allan, a resident of Cults and head of the firm of James Allan and Son, Furnishers. He gifted about 7 acres of land between the Deeside Railway and the River Dee, and the Park was officially opened in June 1897. It was proposed that there should be a curling and skating pond in the centre surrounded with trees and laid out with walks.

Hockey match in Allan Park, Cults

Hockey match in Allan Park, Cults, c.1900. Allan Park was named after David Allan, a resident of Cults and head of the firm of James Allan and Son, Furnishers. He gifted about 7 acres of land between the Deeside Railway and the River Dee, and the Park was officially opened in June 1897.

Cults and District Recreation Club

Cults and District Recreation Club performed "Mains' Wooin'" in East Church Hall 1923. The players are named as: Piper - G. Wilson, J. W. Robertson, W. Christie, W. A. Thompson, John Kidd, unknown, Jack Morrison, A. Ironside, Bert Anderson, Miss Robertson, Miss Skakle, Peter Walker, John Forsyth, Miss Skakle, Dr Robert Bruce, Mrs Pirie, Miss Ironside, W. Ironside, Miss Robertson, W. Marshall. Front of stage: T. Ambrose, J. Milne, John Salthouse, unknown, D. Kidd, M. Morrison, D. Kidd, John Lovie, J. Adams, Jack Meston.