Quick Search
|
Search Results
You searched for: More Like: 'Grampian treasures'
339 items
items as
European Cup Parade
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. Police Headquarters
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. Upper Mill Farm, Bucksburn
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. Scottish North East Counties Constabulary - Traffic Department - 1962
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).
Treasure 7: The Reference Library
2276 The Reference Department opened in the new Central Library on 29 August 1892. This photograph from the Library Archive shows a very busy Reference Department in the early to mid 20th century. The bookcases and fittings were of wainscot and mahogany and were described as having "a very handsome appearance". The floor was laid with noiseless cork carpeting and indiarubber matting to ensure "an air of quiet, so essential to the enjoyment of reading". An additional 80 chairs had been provided as part of the improvements in 1905, including 30 for the exclusive use of ladies. Books could be accessed directly off the shelves and the whole department was much brighter and attractive.
The Reference Department, still on the 2nd floor of the Central Library, is now known as the Information Centre. Come and visit anytime to see how the place has changed and to see the Treasures from our Collections exhibition which is running until July 2017. Stop 4: Health Services for Women and Children - Agnes Thomson (1880-1952) Clementina Esslemont OBE (1864-1958) Fenella Paton (1901-1945) and Mary Esslemont (1891-1984)
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 Treasure 32: George Washington Wilson South Africa Photography Collection
2320 George Washington Wilson is one of the great names in 19th century photography, famous for capturing images of people, buildings and landscapes across Scotland. His photography drew attention to the beauty of his country, but his travels further afield are not as well known.
As an innovative pioneer in photography, George Washington Wilson's work reflected the reality and attitudes of society during his lifetime (1823-1893). In our collections we hold a vast selection of photographs and portraits taken by the G. W. Wilson Company in South Africa. These images were taken by his son, Charles Wilson, and Fred Hardie, a company photographer of George Washington Wilson & Co.
The company's photographs of South Africa captured scenes of the country which would have been perceived as unusual and exotic to British people at the time.
South Africa and its Treasures
The majority of British colonization was concentrated in South Africa during the 19th century. In the past, the country was colonized in order to control one of the main trade routes to India. Due to the abundance of resources such as spices and tea, European interest in Africa increased dramatically in the late 19th century, especially with the discovery of gold and diamonds in the 1860s-1880s.
On their return to Britain, George Washington Wilson & Co presented many photographs showing these natural resources, from the Robinson Gold mine in Johannesburg to De Beers Diamond Mines in Kimberley.
Tea was also a very valuable resource, and people in Britain were keen to learn more about its production and its use in South Africa.
Photography and Tourism
The collection held by Aberdeen City Libraries shows local places of interest in South Africa. These photographs capture Cape Town and Johannesburg, two of the biggest cities in the country. Many Europeans emigrated to these cities in the 19th century, due to the discovery of valuable resources in the surrounding area.
With the rapid rise of tourism in this period, George Washington Wilson & Co. looked for new ways to promote and sell their work. Around 1880-1890, they started to commercialize their photography via picture postcards, a relatively new concept in Britain. This new form of media met with huge success as it was easy to write and cheap to send. It soon became the standard way to communicate with friends and family when abroad, a holiday tradition which remains today.
The postcards, in colour and having a standard size, featured many different scenes from South Africa and were viewed as an innovative way to publicize the country - and the works of photographic firms such as George Washington Wilson & Co. Treasure 34: A Selection of Original Scots Songs in Three Parts
2322 Although the union of the Parliaments between Scotland and England had taken place almost a hundred years before, as the 18th century was drawing to a close there was still much fascination regarding the differing cultures. In time, Victorian society would give this fascination a renewed vigour, helped by Queen Victoria's passion for Scotland - including the establishment of Balmoral Castle as her residence North of the border. Before that time though, in the late 1790s, books were produced offering English readers an insight into their neighbours' traditions.
One such book was entitled 'A selection of original Scots songs' edited by Franz Haydn and published between 1790 and 1794. The book is designed to introduce the reader to the music and lyrics of traditional songs in Scotland. Haydn's book reproduced the songs along with corresponding music, and also offered a glossary to help with the more obscure language.
Burns' song 'My Heart's In The Highlands' - more popularly regarded today as a poem - makes an appearance in the selected works by Franz Haydn. With the collected works produced between 1790 - 1794, this was at a time when Burns began to suffer from the illnesses which would eventually end his life just a couple of years later.
Robert Burns
Celebrated across Scotland every year, Robert Burns Day takes place on 25 January and is an opportunity to remember Scotland's Bard and his work. Known the world over as the National Poet of Scotland, Robert Burns (1759 - 1796) was born in Alloway, Ayrshire. Burns' early life was one of balance; he toiled on his family's farm by day, and was taught reading and writing by candlelight at night. He conversed in Scots, while learning passages from English texts to further his studies. Although regarded by history largely as a poet, Burns also composed many songs - perhaps his most famous work 'Auld Lang Syne' being one of the few traditionally remembered in song form. One of our treasures this month celebrates Robert Burns' work and that of many other traditional Scottish musicians. 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. Craiginches Prison
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. Craiginches Prison
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. Craiginches Prison
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. Craiginches Prison
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. Guest treasure: Aberdeen Journals' Photographic Collections
2435 The photographic collections of Aberdeen Journal Ltd span over a century. The photographs were taken to support stories and features in The Press & Journal and Evening Express newspapers - a picture speaks a thousand words after all. However, the accumulated photography has created a historical resource documenting life in the north east and Highlands during a century of change and development. The collection covers everything from the changing landscapes of our towns and cities through to global news events. But it's personal, too. People and their images are at the heart of our stories, be it the children on their first day in a new school through to community events and individual achievements. Your image is probably in the archive somewhere if you look hard enough.
The collection is actively used by our journalists. It provides content for favourites like The Aberdonian and Past Lives features in the Evening Express and historical context and background to stories in The Press & Journal. The collection is also used by external researchers looking for copies of images in which they or their family featured, supporting charities and associations celebrating anniversaries and even to supplement content as featured in The Silver City Vault!
archives@ajl.co.uk
View all the Christmas images from the archive in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the library touchscreens. Marischal Street
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. Marischal Street
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". March Stone 11
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. Regent Quay
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. Regent Quay
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. Treasures 5: The Aberdeen Bon-Accord and Northern Pictorial Holidays Numbers
174 This Art Deco style cover from 1935 features a series of photographs depicting boating by the sea, the busy beach promenade and walking in the nearby hills. The lower half of the design is given over to details of the public transport available to holidaymakers with silhouettes of a tram and bus.
Come and visit our 125 Treasure exhibition in the Central Library during July 2015 to take a closer look at the full bound volumes of these remarkable newspapers. Treasure 10:The War against Japan
180 August 14th is the official Victory over Japan Day in the UK. It marks the surrender of the Japanese in 1945 and an end to the major conflicts of World War II.
As one of our treasures for August we have chosen the five volumes of The War against Japan by Major-General S. Woodburn Kirby. It is part of the British Government's official history of the Second World War. The series was written for the most part between the 1950s and 1990s. It was published by Her Majesty's Stationary Office (HMSO). Known as The History of the Second World War, the project was a vast undertaking and is divided into the different theatres of operation.
The War against Japan comprises volumes called The Loss of Singapore (1957), India's Most Dangerous Hour (1958), The Decisive Battles (1961), The Reconquest of Burma (1965) and The Surrender of Japan (1969). The focus of the volumes is on the conflict in the Indian Ocean as this is where the British military were most involved. The books are a work of remarkable ambition and scholarship and contain photographs of major figures, annotated images and detailed colour maps (an example of which can be seen on the left).
The War against Japan is kept in our Reference Reserve Stock alongside many of the other first editions of The History of the Second World War series, such as Grand Strategy, The War at Sea and The Mediterranean and Middle East, and comparable works like Winston Churchill's own five volume history of the war. The Reference Reserve is a treasure trove of scholarship. There are lifetimes of reading and learning on the shelves.
We hope this treasure acts as a small commemoration to all those who suffered in the war and also as an indication of the vast and interesting stock that we are unable to display to the public. If you would like to see more of The War against Japan, or any of our reserve stock items, please come and visit the Central Library and we will be happy to help you do so. Treasure 18: The Illustrated London News
189 One of this month's treasures is an extract of The Illustrated London News. This issue, dated from the 14th of November 1936, shows the General Francisco Franco, "the leader of the attack on Madrid and, from the first, ranked as head of the anti-government forces"... and dictator of Spain from 1939 to 1975.
Newspapers are indeed a great source of information on historic topics. What is particularly remarkable about The Illustrated London News is that it was probably the first pictorial weekly newspaper. Founded by Herbert Ingram, a newsagent from Nottingham, the first issue was published on the 14th May 1842 and sold for 6 pence. Ingram had the idea to include pictures and woodcuts within the paper in order to sell more copies. And it worked! The first issue met with immediate success, selling 26,000 copies during the first days and printing 65,000 more copies during the same week.
The Spanish Civil War broke out on the 17th of July 1936. During more than two years, nationalists and pro-government forces fought in Spain. At the same time, in Britain, Chamberlain and his conservative government defended strong neutrality and choose to keep the country far away from the war.
However, the "civil war" was a domestic conflict in name only. During more than two years, and even after the nationalist victory in 1939, it attracted the attentions of many governments and individuals. The Illustrated London News is a witness of the conflict and gives also some sense of the British representation of the Spanish Civil War. Even if it tried to keep its impartiality, its judgments and the way it conveyed the information was viewed through the eyes of local interest and popular opinion.
The newspaper portrayed the majority public opinion, which was non-intervention. As such, it tried to show both the nationalists sides and the pro-government opinion.
From July 1936 to April 1939, 549 Scots joined the International Brigades and fought to defend democracy in Spain. 134 lost their lives in Spain.
The International Brigade Memorial Trust is a British charity which aims to keep alive the memory and spirit of the over 50,000 individuals from Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth who volunteered to defend democracy and fight facism. We hope this treasure acts as an additional commemoration for those who went to Spain.
Treasure 43: Lending Department Catalogue (1886)
212 To commemorate Aberdeen's first free lending library opening 130 years ago this month we have selected a bound copy of the catalogue as one of our treasures. The hard back volume was presented to the library by the late Robert Anderson. An inscription tells us Anderson received the volume in 1917 from Catherine W Duncan after the death of her brother, James W Duncan, in whose library it had previously resided.
The catalogue was printed by the Aberdeen University Press and comprises of a single continuous alphabetically sequence including authors names, subjects of works and miscellaneous headings. Additionally, the catalogue includes the bye-laws of the Library, a preface, an "Explanations and Directions" section, a key to the indicator system and adverts for many Aberdeen businesses. In his preface, Robertson states "In the preparation of the following Catalogue, the chief aim has been to provide a compendious and easy guide to the contents of the Lending Department of the Library, which readers can take to their homes. No particular system has been rigidly followed, but recourse has been had to whatever device seemed calculated to promote the desired objects."
Baillie Walker and Dr Alexander Bain, Lord Rector of the University, also spoke at the opening of the Lending Department. Bain discussed the make-up of the book stock and the efforts undertaken to create this new development. He gave particular mention to the application of Library Committee member Duguid Milne. Baillie Walker stressed the preparatory work and said that Robertson, the Librarian, turned night into day in his efforts and that it was absolutely necessary that he takes a well-deserved holiday during the summer.
Even at the opening of the new Lending Department there was an awareness that the current building was inadequate. Efforts by the Library Committee to secure new premises had already been underway for some time. At the opening, A O Gill, Chairman of the Sub-Building Committee, stated that "they ought to have something better for the public than the present building, and he hoped that they would be able soon to provide a building suitable for the requirements of this large and populous city."
After much discussion of sites, gathering of funds, and construction work, the purpose built Aberdeen Central Library on the new Rosemount Viaduct was officially opened on 5th July 1892 and remains the home of Aberdeen's Public Libraries to this day. The old Mechanics' Institution has since primarily housed a mixture of hotels and pubs. A reminder of its brief time as Aberdeen's Public Library was found in 1950 when painters decorating the then Bon Accord Hotel uncovered a hidden sign showing the library's old opening times.
Treasure 47: Illuminated Central Library
218 To mark the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, we are unveiling one of our treasures which relate to the Central Library - a drawing from the Library archive showing what the Central Library might have looked like with an illuminated neon sign.
The drawing was produced by the General Electric Company Ltd and dated 14 March 1939. There is no reference in the Library Committee minutes to this proposal and the installation never went ahead, presumably as World War 2 intervened.
Had it been installed, however, it certainly would have been visible for some distance, glowing at the end of the Terrace! |