2275

Enthusiastic gardeners who have spent months, if not years, nurturing their plants have the opportunity to display their efforts at flower shows - usually held in August or September. These events for individuals happen all around the country and have a long history. Britain in Bloom is the national flower show for whole communities. It was the brainchild of Roy Hay, a horticultural journalist. Following a holiday in France where he admired the "Fleurissement de France", he persuaded the British Travel and Holidays Association (later the British Tourist Authority) to organise a similar competition for communities in Britain. Although the first competition in 1964 was won by Bath, Aberdeen received a "Special Mention". The city did even better in 1965 when it won the National Trophy. Although it did not win again until 1969, the city then continued its success each year until 1971. However, this achievement led to Aberdeen being debarred from the National Competition in 1972 although it still won the Scottish section. 1973 and 1974 saw Aberdeen winning the National award again, and its record 10th win was in 1998. A slogan competition was held for the 1968 campaign when the winning entry proclaimed "Aberdeen - Garden City by the Sea". In order to celebrate Britain in Bloom and Aberdeen's success in the competition we have chosen to highlight our collection of historic prize schedules for the Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen's annual exhibition. The Aberdeenshire Horticultural Society was founded in March 1824 when a meeting of "Practical Gardeners" was held in the New Inn for the "purpose of forming themselves into a Society". The Earl of Aberdeen graciously agreed to be Patron of the Society. In November 1863, it was announced at the annual general meeting that HRH the Prince of Wales had now agreed to become Patron of the Society and that the Society's name was to be changed to the Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen. The Society's "Prize Schedule for Exhibition" gives details of each of the classes which can be entered, with the prizes which can be won - a sum of money or a cup or medal. In 1920, there were a total of 222 classes and those who exhibited were split into one of four Divisions - professional gardeners; nurserymen and florists; amateurs and working class. The Schedules also contain the Rules of Competition, the Constitution of the Society and a list of Subscriptions and Donations received - these include names, addresses and amounts given. Our earliest copies of the booklets cover the period 1920 - 1937, although the file is incomplete. The Society celebrated its 175th anniversary in 1999. To take a closer look at these, and many other Aberdeen historic documents, visit Aberdeen Central Library.

316

The work of the Aberdeen Grammar School Art Club can be seen in the collection of sketch books held in Local Studies for the years 1920 - 1923 and 1926 & 1928, and as supplements in some of the school magazines which also describe the early activities of the club. The Art Club was started by the enthusiastic Art Master, C.R. Leslie Millar, in 1917. There was an initial membership of 25 boys with H. Morgan acting as Secretary, who was later complemented for his delightful posters and sketches on the notice boards. The club would go out sketching on Saturdays from mid-May and throughout June, working in pencil, oils, water-colours and pastels. The first sketch book was produced for Christmas 1919 with introductory club notes. It's a tribute to the art masters that they did much to develop the appreciation of art and encourage individual talent among the pupils. The work of the club was favourably commented on by His Majesty's Inspectors and at the Aberdeen Artists Society Exhibition in December 1921 two club members were successful in having pictures accepted. Have a look at some fine examples of the art club's sketches in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreens.

332

The celebration of art in Aberdeen can be traced through the collection of exhibition catalogues held in our Local Studies department, including those of the Aberdeen Artists' Society from its early years to the present, through to those produced by modern galleries, local art groups and societies, Gray's School of Art and more recently the directory produced for the North East Open Studios. The origins of Aberdeen Artists' Society date back to 1827 when a group of artists resident in Aberdeen "resolved to associate themselves for the purpose of mutual improvement in Painting and the furtherance of the Art generally, in Aberdeen" and hold "An Annual Exhibition of Paintings, Sculptures and Designs". The artists in question included James Giles who was President, Alexander Fraser, Vice-President and James Troup, Secretary. Other members included Archibald Simpson. The Aberdeen Artists' Society are working with Aberdeen Art Gallery on a new program of exhibitions after the Gallery re-opens in 2017 and the annual exhibition will return in 2018/19. Check out our Treasures from our Collections interactive display to find out more about the history of Aberdeen Artists' Society.

352

An etching by Robert N. Snodgrass depicting the inner shrine of the National War Memorial in Edinburgh. The artwork was part of the Aberdeen Artists' Society's annual exhibition at the Art Gallery in 1931-32. This framed etching was kindly donated to the library in 2016.

137382

 

 

137383

 

 

137384

 

 

138085

 

 

138127

 

 

139537

 

 

139817

 

 

140539

 

 

142467