Monthly Archives:May 2017

A good number of Burgesses attended a very interesting and informative talk from our guest speaker, Liz Bowie, Chief Executive of AFC Trust. Liz gave an overview of the incredible work and support the Trust give to the citizens of the local community. To repeat from the original posting, “Aberdeen FC established its charitable trust in 2014 to provide support and opportunity to change lives for the better.  The award-winning AFC Community Trust works with people of all ages and backgrounds to maximise the potential of our communities and to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.  The Trust focusses on how it can inspire and empower, particularly the next generation, through education and positive destinations; football and healthy living.”

Liz took many questions from those in attendance which showed the interest generated in the work that the Trust undertakes. Liz is happy to be involved with any Burgesses who wish to assist in any way and is happy to give her contact details:

Liz Bowie, Chief Executive, 01224 650400, Email- liz.bowie@afccommunitytrust.org

http://www.afcct.org/

Vote of thanks at the conclusion of the lunch was given by Assessor Dr Stephen Wedderburn.

Please see below letter of condolence which the Lord Dean has sent on behalf of the Burgesses of Guild to His Majesty the King

We are pleased to support the dinner commemorating 150 years of the Thermopylae Tea clipper. The event will be attended by the Lord Dean of Guild. Please see flyer below for details:

We are pleased to announce our lunch for November 2022. Our guest speakers will be John Otto and Kimberlie Hamilton. The subject of the talk will be Aberdonian born Professor JJR MacLeod, who was instrumental in the development of a clinically useable form of insulin which led to him being awarded jointly the noble prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1923, whilst working at the University of Toronto. John and Kimberley will give an overview of Professor MacLeod’s life, education and also his work in Aberdeen. John and Kimberley are determined to bring this “unsung hero” greater recognition for his life-saving contribution to modern medicine.

John is the founder and chairman of the JJR Macleod Memorial Statue Society, born and bred in Aberdeen, he has lived with type 1 diabetes for nearly 50 years. John will give an update on the Macleod Memorial Statue project, which is currently in the works and scheduled to be unveiled in Duthie Park in August 2023. This will include a map showing its location in Duthie Park.

This is sure to be an interesting talk. It will be held at the RNUC, commencing at 12.14 (date of Charter) with a 14.00 finish. Cost will be £15. This can be paid via cheque made payable to Burgesses of Guild of the City of Aberdeen and sent to Garry Stevens, Clerk to the Burgesses of Guild, 6 Craigarbel Crescent, Inverbervie, Montrose DD10 0SJ or via BACS to:

Sort Code 826011, Account Number 50325609, Ref Surname/Lunch

Some Burgesses still carry a credit from previous lunches, so this can be allocated to this lunch if required.

We are pleased to announce two lunches to be held in September and October. Both will be held in the RNUC, Albyn Place with a 12.14pm (date our charter was granted) start, concluding at 14.00 prompt.

Wednesday 21st September

Liz Bowie, Chief Executive of Aberdeen FC, Community Trust, will be guest speaker. Liz will discuss:

At the heart of the community Aberdeen FC established its charitable trust in 2014 to provide support and opportunity to change lives for the better.  The award-winning AFC Community Trust works with people of all ages and backgrounds to maximise the potential of our communities and to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.  The Trust focusses on how it can inspire and empower, particularly the next generation, through education and positive destinations; football and healthy living.

Wednesday 19th October

Roger Hunt, Chief of Business Services at Aberdeen airport, is guest speaker. Roger’s topic is:

Human Resilience

My true story is a very personal one, a very graphic one, yet one that I am privileged to be alive to share. It is how I became caught up in the Mumbai massacres in 2008, and witnessed the killing of innocent people who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am firmly of the opinion, and academic study endorses the fact that, we are not born with resilience, but that we acquire it throughout our lives. Indeed Psychologists define resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress. Every one of us has it within our gift to develop and nurture resilience and thankfully you do not need to have undergone an experience like I have.

For over 40 hours, I was a hostage in a burning hotel while a group of suicidal terrorists – who had already murdered hotel workers and guests in cold blood – remained barricaded in with hostages on the floors directly above me.

Both lunches are sure to be informative and interesting. If you wish to attend please email Garry Stevens, Clerk at:

clerk@aberdeenburgesses.com

Cost of the lunch is £15 and can be paid by cheque, made payable to Burgesses of Guild of the City of Aberdeen and sent to Garry Stevens, Clerk to the Burgesses, 6 Craigarbel Crescent, Inverbervie, Montrose DD10 0SJ or via BACS to Sort Code 826011, Account Number 50325609 Ref Surname/Lunch

Some attendees may still have a credit from previous cancelled events. Garry can advise if this is the case if required.

We are pleased to announce that our Lord Dean, Sylvia Halkerston has been awarded an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Business Administration, from Robert Gordon University.

Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of RGU, comments: “Sylvia is an ardent ambassador of the North East of Scotland and the work of our region’s private and public sectors. She has contributed significantly to both sectors throughout her long and successful career and continues to play a key role in the region’s business and civic community.

“Sylvia retired from the University’s Board of Governors after eight years serving as a Governor and during that time helped to steer the strategic direction of the University in making a significant contribution to economic, social and cultural development in the North East of Scotland. I am delighted that she is now continuing to make a positive impact in our region which we are recognising with an honorary degree.”

Link to acceptance speech by Lord Dean of Guild:

We are very pleased to confirm that our Lord Dean, Colin Taylor was installed as Lord President of the Court of Deans of Scotland at the AGM of the Court of Deans, held in Arbroath on Friday 29^th April.  Below are some photos of the outgoing Lord President, Scott Williamson, Lord Dean of Dundee, handing over the chain to Colin at the end of an excellent dinner attended by most Guildries in Scotland.   Colin was accompanied at the AGM and dinner by his wife Marjorie, Sylvia Halkerston, Senior Assessor, and past Dean Fred Dalgarno (who is a Past Lord President).

Colin is proud to be appointed to represent Aberdeen, it’s important however that this comes about because the Court of Deans works on a rota basis and it’s Aberdeen’s turn this year to take on the Lord President’s role.  

The programme dictates that the next AGM of the Court of Deans will be hosted by the Guildry of the Lord President which means Aberdeen in April or May 2023. We will announce plans on the website once we have further information.

On Sunday 27th March the Lord Dean assisted Lord Provost Barney Crockett with the unveiling of a memorial stone at the Church of St. Nicholas, to recognise and thank Citizens of the city and Key Workers in particular who contributed much during recent times when the pandemic caused many restrictions.        
The stone was crafted and created by fellow Burgess, Barry Mackland and his skilled team at Memorial Specialists in Mugiemoss Road.  
This is an example of Burgesses’ contribution to the city, thanks to those in the group photograph who attended.

It was a long wait to finally be able to admit new Burgess along with 10 from the Incorporated Trades at a specially convened Council meeting, followed by a Civic Reception kindly provided by the Lord Provost and the City Council. Our thanks to them for providing the excellent hospitality particularly to Burgess John Johnstone and his Team at the Beach Ballroom for the buffet food and drinks, and Council staff on the night who assisted in ensuring everything ran smoothly.