We are pleased to announce our programme of lunches and some evening events for the period September 2023 – April 2024. The lunches have been booked as normal at the RNUC, however for one or two of the speakers we have invited Seven Incorporated Trades to attend which would likely put the numbers beyond the capacity for RNUC therefore we may move location, but we will keep you informed if that is the case. Lunches will commence at the normal time of 12.14 prompt (Date of Charter) and will conclude at 14.00. Cost will be £15. If you wish to attend any of the lunches please email Garry Stevens, Clerk at – clerk@aberdeenburgesses.com
Payment 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/Lunches
At present lunches will be open to Burgesses only, but notification will be sent if guests can be invited.
Members are reminded that there is a dress code at the Club which we will respect. No blue jeans and trainers and gentlemen please wear a collared shirt and jacket.
Lunch – Wednesday 4th October – Professor David J. Blackbourn, Professor of Virology, Director of Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, is our guest speaker. He will give a talk on the work he is currently involved in with Alzheimer’s and Dementia research.
Social Event – October evening event, date TBC – An Evening with Prof. Paul Mealor and Robert Lovie
Prof Paul Mealor, a fellow Burgess, is well known to most of us. He has had a distinguished career as an academic at the University of Aberdeen where he is Professor of Composition with visiting professorships in the USA and Scandinavia, but he is a renowned composer. He was invited to compose a piece for the Royal Wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Wrote the song which was No. 1 for the Military Wives “Wherever You Are” and has remained a firm favourite of the Royal Family when he composed pieces for the Coronation of King Charles III and the Honours of Scotland Ceremony. Robert Lovie of the Prince’s Foundation was heavily involved in and performed at the Honours of Scotland Ceremony. Together they will explore the career of Paul and perhaps give us some musical treats.
Lunch – Wednesday 8th November – Craig Walker, Editor North & Aberdeen, the Press & Journal is our guest speaker. This year marks the 275th anniversary of The Press and Journal, Scotland’s oldest newspaper and one of the longest running titles anywhere in the world. Craig will look back over its history and plans for the future.
An invitation was extended to Seven Incorporated Trades for this lunch; therefore, venue may not be RNUC.
Lunch – Thursday 7th December – Guest speaker is Dr. Deborah O’Neil PhD OBE FRSE, Chief Executive Officer, and Scientific Officer at NovaBiotics. NovaBiotics, based in Aberdeen, has identified a number of anti-microbial drugs.Deborah will talk about the new BioHub facility at Foresterhill and will include discussion on life science sector in Aberdeen and work done with Opportunity North East.
Link to company website – Welcome – NovaBiotics is a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company
Lunch – Monday 22nd January – Liam Kerr MSP will be guest speaker and will give an insight to his role as an MSP, and his current areas of responsibility as Shadow Cabinet Secretary Education and on Skills. This is another event which we have extended to Seven Incorporated Trades.
Link to Liam Kerr MSP website page – Liam Kerr | Scottish Parliament Website
Lunch – February (TBC) – Professor Andrew Porter, Professor of Medical Biotechnology, and Director of the Scottish Biologics Facility (SBF), University of Aberdeen is guest speaker.
The SBF works with academics and companies across the world developing antibodies and other binding proteins for a range of diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Programs include anti-microbials, cardiology, liver fibrosis and CNS disease. Professor Porter will give an update on his work currently and what is planned for the future.
Outside his professional work, Andy part owns a number of award-winning cocktail bars and in 2014 the team behind these ventures launched Langstane Liquor Ltd, Aberdeen’s first Gin distillers for one hundred years. Porter’s Gin hit the shelves in Dec 2015 to great reviews and can now be found in many of the world’s top bars.
Lunch – Thursday 21st March – Dr Lynne Taylor is guest speaker. Dr Taylor has a Doctorate in Clinical Phycology, A recently admitted Burgess, Dr Taylor currently an advisor to the Scottish Government, she will share some developments and impacts of mental health since the pandemic, and how her role influences national strategy and policy.
Lunch – Tuesday 16th April – Paula Cormack, Chief Executive Officer, The Archie Foundation, Archie is a charity which aims to transform experiences and outcomes in healthcare and bereavement for babies, children, and families in the north of Scotland. The topic will be Babies, Bairns & Now the Baird – the history and exciting future works of The Archie Foundation in making the difference for local children and families.