652

Aberdeen Football Club's open top bus parade of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983. The photograph looks north west across Union Street towards its junction with Union Terrace. Aberdeen defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in the final held in Gothenburg, Sweden on 11th May 1983. The conquering heroes landed, cup in hand, at Aberdeen Airport at 14.40 the next day. The team received a rousing reception and were given a celebratory cake on arrival from an offshore catering company. It was then on to the open top bus for the journey from Dyce to Pittodrie. Grampian Fire Brigade lined-up their engines outside their Anderson Drive headquarters as a unique guard of honour for the team as they headed for the city centre. As shown here, the city streets were packed with fans of all ages, including some who had travelled back from Gothenburg. Lord Provost Alex Collie, the Queen Mother and Margaret Thatcher all provided messages of congratulations. Celebrations ended at a teeming Pittodrie. Aberdeen FC had another triumphant tour through the city centre only 10 days later after they beat Rangers 1-0 in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park. The match was on the Saturday 21st May and the parade in Aberdeen was the next day.

994

A photograph showing the unveiling of a new panel at Culter War Memorial on Sunday 19th June 1949. The article 'Tribute to War Dead of Culter' from the Press & Journal of 20th June 1949, page 6, describes the ceremony as follows: "A panel containing the names of 29 men from the parish who lost their lives in the recent war was unveiled at Culter War Memorial yesterday. "Relatives of the fallen and representatives of the Boys' Brigade, Girl Guides, Brownies, and the Territorial Army were grouped round the memorial as Mrs Tough, Hillside Road, Culter, who lost two sons in the war, unveiled the tablet. "The panel was dedicated by the Rev. J. R. Dey, Kelman Memorial Church, who, along with the Rev. T. W. Howie, St Peter's Church, conducted the service" Culter War Memorial is a tapering, crenelated tower located on a hillock to the west of the village. It is accessed by a footpath that leaves North Deeside Road not far beyond the bridge over the Culter Burn. Correspondent Brian Coutts has been in touch to inform us that one of the representatives of the Brownies present at the ceremony was Elizabeth McNab. The abovementioned sons of Mrs Jane Tough of Hillside Road were Driver Frank Tough, Royal Corps of Signals, formerly an employee of Culter Paper Mills, who was killed by enemy action in the Middle East on 24th September 1942, aged 24, and Private Ernest "Ernie" Tough, 2nd Gordons, who died on 5th October 1943, aged 26, while a prisoner-of-war in Thailand. (Source: Press & Journal, 26th September 1946, page 3.) The former, Frank Tough, is buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial in Egypt and Ernest is buried Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery in Myanmar. (Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.)

2111

The North-Eastern Counties Constabulary (later Grampian Police) headquarters, at the corner of Howes Road and Inverurie Road, Bucksburn. Staff moved in from 1963, from when this photograph dates, and it was officially opened by the Queen Mother on 14th May 1964.

2112

Upper Mill Farm, which became the site of the Bucksburn Headquarters of the North-Eastern Counties Constabulary, later Grampian Police, at the corner of Howes Road and Inverurie Road. Staffing began in 1963 and it was officially opened by the Queen Mother on 14th May 1964.

2115

A view looking along Torry Quay and out to see. In this photograph, taken around 1880, one of the "leading lights" that were used by boats entering the harbour as guides can be seen in the centre of the image.

2221

This photograph was taken in September 1962 at the Bridge of Don Barracks and just prior to the visit of HRH Princess Margaret to Fraserburgh and Peterhead. The five officers shown are (left to right) Constables John Petrie, Hugh Matheson, Bob Davidson, Charlie Milne and Sergeant Charles Cruckshank. The notation below the images suggests the police officer on the right is Eric Simpson. The four vehicles are (left to right) a Divisional Ford Transit van, an Austin A55 Patrol car, an Austin A99 Traffic car and a Jaguar Mk9 Traffic car. (The above information was provided by Geoff Marston, Curator of the Grampian Police Heritage Museum, October 2015).

2248

A postcard showing the two small lighthouse like structures in Old Torry known as "The Leading Lights". These were used as guides by sailors to bring boats into Aberdeen harbour. The nearby Torry Bar later opened a lounge on their first floor named after the Sinclair Road structures. Both remain standing in modern Torry.

2303

The first sick children's hospital on site of former Naval Surgeon's Dr Blaikie surgery on 6-8 Castle Terrace in 1877 extended to take in Castle Brae Chapel. An unsung heroine that worked on this site is Dr Agnes Thomson (nee Baxter) a graduate from Aberdeen University who served as an anaesthetist at the Sick Children's and Maternity Hospitals during the First World War. Agnes Thomson was instrumental in founding the Aberdeen Mother and Baby Home and volunteered her services to the Mother and Child Welfare Association, which was established to address the shockingly high death rate of babies and toddlers in the east end of Aberdeen. Throughout her life, Clementina Esslemont OBE was a champion of liberal ideas and good causes and well known for her no-nonsense approach to social service provision. One of her principal achievements was the foundation of the Aberdeen Mother and Child Welfare Association in 1909, which played an important role in social service and public health provision in the City of Aberdeen until the creation of the Public Health Department in 1949. She was also involved in the establishment of a model block of tenements on the Spital, Aberdeen, in the formation of Aberdeen Lads' Club, St Katherine's Club, and the nursery school movement. Dr Mary Esslemont, one of Clementina Esslemont's daughters, worked as a Gynaecologist at the hospital. Mary did much to improve the care and wellbeing for mothers and babies with her determination and hard work. As well as being the Gynaecologist she also ran prenatal and family planning clinics. Mary was an advocate of women's rights, health education and family planning. She was the first female president of the Student University Council and the first woman to be president of Aberdeen Liberal Association in 1954. Awarded the CBE in 1955, Aberdeen City Council bestowed the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen in 1981. Aberdeen has also led the way in family planning with a remarkable woman at the forefront of fertility control. Pioneer Fenella Paton opened Aberdeen's first family planning clinic in 1926 at Gerrard street. The clinic, the first of its kind in Scotland, moved to new premises in Castle Street in 1948. But prior to these clinics and innovations in family planning there were large families and mothers that needed to go out to work and at our next stop an initiative was put in place to help these working women. Memories: Norma Michie speaking about Mary Esslemont Audrey's memories of the Family Planning Clinic Denise's memory of the Family Planning Clinic Heather's memories of Ina Lawrence and the Children's Hospital Alma Duncan's memories of Cocky Hunters

2375

The remains of Craiginches Prison, also known as HMP Aberdeen, in 2016. The buildings have been demolished and the ground leveled. The Victorian prison was closed in January 2014, after 124 years of operation. It was shut down, along with HMP Peterhead, to make way for HMP Grampian. The demolition was carried out by Fraserburgh firm David Smith Contractors. The site of the former prison is to be developed into modern housing and used to widen Wellington Road. This photograph was submitted to the Silver City Vault by Alison Murray, a member of staff at Airyhall Library.

2376

The remains of Craiginches Prison, also known as HMP Aberdeen, in 2016. The buildings have been demolished and the ground leveled. The Victorian prison was closed in January 2014, after 124 years of operation. It was shut down, along with HMP Peterhead, to make way for HMP Grampian. The demolition was carried out by Fraserburgh firm David Smith Contractors. The site of the former prison is to be developed into modern housing and used to widen Wellington Road. This photograph was submitted to the Silver City Vault by Alison Murray, a member of staff at Airyhall Library.

2377

The remains of Craiginches Prison, also known as HMP Aberdeen, in 2016. The buildings have been demolished and the ground leveled. The Victorian prison was closed in January 2014, after 124 years of operation. It was shut down, along with HMP Peterhead, to make way for HMP Grampian. The demolition was carried out by Fraserburgh firm David Smith Contractors. The site of the former prison is to be developed into modern housing and used to widen Wellington Road. This photograph was submitted to the Silver City Vault by Alison Murray, a member of staff at Airyhall Library, and features her German shepherd, Blade.

2396

The external wall of Craiginches Prison during demolition in mid-2015. The Victorian prison was closed in January 2014, after 124 years of operation. It was shut down, along with HMP Peterhead, to make way for HMP Grampian. The demolition was carried out by Fraserburgh firm David Smith Contractors. The site of the former prison is to be developed into modern housing and used to widen Wellington Road. This photograph was submitted to the Silver City Vault by Alison Murray, a member of staff at Airyhall Library.

2762

A photograph taken on 14th July 2018 showing a number of local businesses on Aberdeen's Marischal Street. At number 16 is Gloria Valentine, Professional Dressmaker, Gundra Beauty is at number 20 and the Grampian Accomodation Agency sits at numbers 24-26. The latter was established in 1986.

2769

A photograph of the back of Marischal Street taken from Virginia Street on 14th July 2018. The bridge that can be seen replaced the significantly older Bannerman's Bridge. A plaque on the bridge reads "The old bridge which stood here from 1768 was replaced by Grampian Regional Council in 1984 as part of the Aberdeen inner relief road".

2792

Corporation Gas Showrooms at 20 and Public Library and Reading Room (East Branch) at 22 Union Street in around 1937. 22 Union Street was also the address of C.O.U. Oddfellows' F. S., Girl Guides and Aberdeen High School Former Pupils' Club. This photograph shows part of the old junction of Union Street and Broad Street. The building on the right is the Town House.

3193

This stone is located, at the back of the pavement, about 36 metres west of the junction of Craigton Road and Woodlands Avenue. It is marked "11 ABD". The then marker was described in 1698 as a long stone and in 1780 as a large stone, again earthfast and with a saucer mark. Woodlands Avenue leads to an early 21st century housing development built on the grounds of the still extant Woodlands House, which later served as a hospital. See the institution's NHS Grampian Archives catalogue entry for the history of the hospital (reference: GRHB 17). 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.

3399

An Aberdeen Journals Archive photograph of two baby elephants, from the Robert Brothers Circus, attending a matinee screening of The Tales of Beatrix Potter at the ABC Cinema in Union Street on Wednesday 28th July 1971. This was a promotional stunt for the cinema and circus that was performing at the Queen's Links from 26th July to 7th August. The two elephants were called Maureen and Catzeila and were accompanied by staff from the circus. The Tales of Beatrix Potter was a ballet film directed by Reginald Mills based on the children's stories of English author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. The elephants sat in the front row for the screening of the film. Image © Aberdeen Journals Ltd.

3577

One of the two plates depicting a pannier tank shunting engine. It appears to be 0-4-0ST model locomotive built in 1925 by Andrew Barclay to work at the Aberdeen Corporation Gas Works, as indicated on its side. It was employed there until it was replaced by diesel power in 1964. The locomotives transported coal from the harbour to the gas works. As the railway ran alongside public roads they were fitted with side skirts which covered their motions. The locomotive has been restored as a static exhibit at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford, Aberdeenshire.

3578

One of the two plates depicting a pannier tank shunting engine. It appears to be 0-4-0ST model locomotive built in 1925 by Andrew Barclay to work at the Aberdeen Corporation Gas Works, as indicated on its side. It was employed there until it was replaced by diesel power in 1964. The locomotives transported coal from the harbour to the gas works. As the railway ran alongside public roads they were fitted with side skirts which covered their motions. The locomotive has been restored as a static exhibit at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford, Aberdeenshire. In the background can be seen the businesses of George Bissett & Son, engineer and blacksmith at the entrance to Sugarhouse Lane, M. Craigmile, tobacconist at 73 Regent Quay, another tobacconist and grocer with the surname Wattie, and the offices of the Aberdeen, Newcastle, and Hull Steam Co., Ltd at number 79. This latter business was at the junction with Commerce Street.

184

What was happening in Aberdeen over 50 years ago? In Local Studies we have a great collection of "What's On in Aberdeen guides", the earliest of which is an "Aberdeen Events" leaflet covering March to August 1952. Our collection does have a few gaps but continues from the 1950s right through to 2008. From the guides we get a fascinating insight into the variety of events and activities throughout the decades available to both Aberdonians and visitors. What can you find listed in the What's On? - Cinema and Theatre guide, Dancing, General events and information, Holiday attractions, City Parks, Musical events, Sport, Highland Games & Agricultural Shows in and around Aberdeen, Places of interest, Club programmes and always a city map to help you find your way around. Plenty to choose from! The events leaflet was published by Aberdeen Corporation Publicity Department who from March 1956, renamed the publication "What's On?" and changed the style and format to the colour booklet we can see in the image. The booklet now also included advertisements for shops, restaurants, hotels, and businesses all of which contribute to building up a picture of the social, economic and retail scene in Aberdeen back then. From November 1969 a more slender version of the guide was produced and published by different departments of the City Council - Public Relations, Information & Tourism, and Development & Tourism - until April 1989 when the Aberdeen Tourist Board took it on. From 2000 onwards it was commercially published as "Your Ideal Guide to What's On in and around Aberdeen" and ceased publication round about 2008.

194

With roots dating back to the religious observances of the founding fathers, the national holiday of Thanksgiving is celebrated each November in America. The development of the holiday largely mirrors the development of the American nation itself, with tales of warring peoples, inter-state rivalry and the inevitable spread of development. One popular oral tradition traces Thanksgiving to an event in 1621 which took place between the Pilgrim fathers and the native Wampanoag people. Relations between the settlers and indigenous people were inevitably tense at this time, but the shared feasting and frolics of the "Plymouth Thanksgiving" heralded a friendly truce which lasted for fifty years. Many years later, and during the tensions of the American Civil War, the editor of a popular magazine, Sarah Josepha Hale, campaigned for a national holiday as a way of promoting unity between the states. Thanksgiving Day was announced by Abraham Lincoln and celebrated for the first time on 26 November 1863. Since then, Thanksgiving is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. In 1880, a volume was produced which sought to capture the "state of the union", using data gleaned from census and other records to produce visual representations of the nation. Scribner's Statistical Atlas of the United States uses a mass of information on topics as diverse as population, literacy, agriculture and religion to literally map out the whole of the developing country. Using just one example from Scribner's Atlas charting the distribution of corn production across the entire United States, it is clear that the general pattern of development is east to west. The eastern areas are much smaller and more populous than the wide expanse of the "unsettled parts" - referred on the Silver Screen as "the Wild West". Another key aspect of the map are the areas denoted as "Indian Reservations" - specific territories designed to allow some limited freedom of movement to the indigenous populations finding themselves under increasing threat from multiple generations of European settlers. Within the numerous reservations some recognisable Native American names are visible - Sioux, Cherokee and Navajo; however, many are less familiar and many more are either under threat or have entirely disappeared - such as the Wampanoags of the original "Plymouth Thanksgiving" of 1621. Scribner's Statistical Atlas of the United States was a vast undertaking of data management completed in a simpler age of pen and ink. The detail provided in the snapshot offers readers an intriguing glimpse at the development of one of the most powerful nations on the planet today.

271

This month's Guest Treasure was kindly selected by NHS Grampian Archives who hold fascinating and varied collections of historical health records from across the North East of Scotland. Aberdeen Royal Lunatic Asylum has changed a lot since it opened in 1800, as has the way in which patients were admitted. Following the passing of the Lunacy (Scotland) Act in 1857, people who were being admitted had to have been assessed by two different doctors who would set out why that person's symptoms merited admission to the Asylum. These were recorded on Medical Certificates - or 'Lunacy Forms' as they are called in these volumes. The forms give background information on the patient - their name, age, address, next of kin and so on, before recording the two doctor's statements. Supporting case notes also survive, which give further information on the individual patients, but there are also surviving annual reports which can be found in Aberdeen Central Library. These detail the changes which happened in the hospital each year, give statistics on the number of patients admitted, and provide information on how well the hospital was being run. View the Lunacy forms in greater detail on our touchscreens.

302

Both Torry and Ferryhill Branch Reading Rooms opened on 19 December 1903 as part of the General Extension Scheme to provide a library presence in what were regarded as outlying areas of the City. In November 1901 the Council Finance Committee sanctioned the acquisition of a piece of ground at the corner of Victoria Road and Grampian Road where Torry Library would be built. A site was secured at the corner of Fonthill Road and the Hardgate in August 1901 for Ferryhill Library. Both libraries were supported by Andrew Carnegie who, having previously donated money for the building of the Central Library, promised £1750 for each of the Branch reading rooms. It was the aim of the Library Committee that the Branches should be "educative and attractive in every sense" and with this in mind the walls were hung with reproductions of works by artist such as Constable, Turner, Joseph Farquharson and others. The success of the new branches was very apparent from the statistics. In the first nine months of opening, attendance at Torry numbered 31,567 with 63,711 at Ferryhill. Once the delivery stations were set up, book issues (including those for Old Aberdeen) totalled 13,530 volumes of which over 10,000 were fiction. By 1939, Torry and Ferryhill were well on their way to becoming fully established branch libraries. Take a look at the early history of the libraries in the Treasures exhibition on the interactive screen.

327

To further help celebrate the year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, we have on display this month some beautifully illustrated Victorian guides to medieval manuscript illumination: - "The Art of Illuminating As Practiced in Europe from the Earliest Times." Selected & Chromolithographed by W. R. Tymms. With an Essay and Instructions by M. D. Wyatt Architect. (1860) - "The Art of Illumination and Missal Painting. A Guide to Modern Illuminators". By H. Noel Humphreys. (1849) - "Lessons in the Art of Illuminating. With Practical Instructions, And a Sketch of the History of the Art". By W. J. Loftie, B.A, F.S.A (1895) One of the most iconic of all "Victorian" styles is that of the Gothic Revival. The idealistic and romantic ideas of chivalry, courage, modesty and beauty appealed to Victorian sensibilities. Furthermore, the rose-tinted notion of the Middle Ages as being an age of pastoral charm with knights in shining armour and damsels in distress, all cocooned in a nicely packaged and organised feudal system, served as an antidote to the rapid expansion and technological advances brought on by the Industrial Revolution. The new found interest in the study of medieval illuminated manuscripts was a consequence of this feeling, and as such we see a number of guides to and facsimiles of medieval manuscripts in the latter half of the 19th century. To see some more beautiful examples of illuminated manuscript illustration, have a look at our online exhibition on the interactive screens.