Author Archives: daniel

A group of 20 Burgesses and guests enjoyed a two course lunch and coffee at the home of Aberdeen Cyrenians at 62 Summer Street on Wednesday 4th May.  We were welcomed by Deputy Chief Executive Scott Baxter who was supported by colleagues Mimi and Nicky – we thank all three – and after lunch Scott gave a very interesting and comprehensive talk on the
history, purpose and activities of the Aberdeen Cyrenians.   We were impressed!

This is a LOCAL charity, truly ‘for Aberdeen’, it was appropriate therefore that the Burgesses visited to listen and learn.  The Lord Dean was keen that there should be a good attendance on this occasion and was not disappointed, and on behalf of the Burgesses he was pleased to
present Scott with a cheque for £300.

Aberdeen Cyrenians have an ambitious and varied programme of fund raising events, including the following.   Perhaps there are Burgesses who will be keen to participate or support ?

15^th of May – Baker Hughes 10K – Aberdeen – The biggest running event in Aberdeen, needing both runners and volunteers.

24^th of June – Charity Golf Challenge – Inverurie Golf Course. Joint fundraiser with Inspire. Golfers and Sponsors required for this Texas Scramble

7^th of October – Sleepout 2016  – Asda Cark Park, Bridge of Dee, Aberdeen – Our flagship fund and awareness raiser, teams of 4 and also volunteers required

For more details of these confirmed events please contact Nicky MacBeath Fundraising Officer,
nicky.macbeath@aberdeen-cyrenians.org 01224 625732

Left to Right: Michael Head – Librarian (Retired), Alex Innes – Actor and Sheila Riddell – Architect

Burgesses, both as a group and also as individuals, have been supporters of the Inchgarth Community Centre for some years and we have visited the Centre on occasion.      The ICC is a leading light in community activities in the city with a weekly programme offering many hundreds of things to do, watch or listen.    Frankly, there are too many headings to list in this post and Burgesses are strongly recommended to visit www.inchgarth.org to learn more.

The Centre is managed by Burgess Paul O’Connor MBE with invaluable support from fellow Burgesses Scott Beattie and Andrew Murray; and another fellow Burgess, Peggy Finnie is a leading volunteer.

We are planning to arrange a future event there, thus those who have never had an opportunity to visit and hear about the many activities and successes can then do so, and those who maintain an interest can return to enhance their experience and knowledge.

Colin G. Taylor

Lord Dean of Guild of the City and Royal Burgh of Aberdeen

Left to Right: Andrew McCreath, Executive Director IT and Communications RGU, Mark McCue, Wealth Manager, Grahame Paterson, Chief Executive, Transition Extreme, Dr Lesley Weir, Retired Medical Practitioner.

The Annual Burgess Xmas Quiz took place on Monday 7^th December at Aberdeenshire Cricket Club. A total of 43 Burgesses making up 11 teams took part. As in previous quizzes, the quizmaster was Past Dean of Guild Fred Dalgarno, who set some challenging questions and picture rounds.

In the absence of the Lord Dean of Guild, Colin Taylor who was unable to attend following a knee operation, Assessor Sylvia Halkerston thanked all those for attending, Fred for compiling the quiz questions and the Cricket Club staff for their excellent hospitality.

With a score of 66 out of a possible 120 points the team comprising Alistair Blues, Gordon Edwards, Stuart Robison, and Andrew Lawtie were the winners.

All those in attendance agreed that this was a very enjoyable social event and look forward to the next quiz in 2016.

The list of events and lunches for the first 6 months of next year is being finalised and the Lord Dean of Guild will post details to the website in the very near future.

The Lord Dean of Guild wishes to recognise the efforts of fellow Burgesses, as follows.

Dr. Fiona-Jane Brown, Historian, Author, Story-teller and Columnist has published her third book in her ‘Hidden’ series, this one is ‘Hidden Aberdeenshire: The Land’ and is available for purchase at Waterstones, Aberdeen.

Professor Paul Mealor has composed his first symphony.   ‘Symphony No. 1 : Passionade’ will be premiered at St. Machar’s Cathedral on Thursday, 19th. November at 7:30 pm.    Tickets may be obtained by contacting Mr. Euan Crabb by email to escrabb@abdn.ac.uk or by telephone to 01224 272570.

Retired orthopaedic surgeon, Tom Scotland, has co-authored a biography entitled ‘HENRY GRAY, Surgeon of the Great War’.     Henry Gray was an Aberdonian surgeon, regarded as one of the best if not the best “hands on ” military surgeon to serve his country during the Great War; he was directly responsible for saving thousands of lives as a result of his innovative surgical skills and methods.     The book will be launched on 4th. December at 4:00 pm in the Medical Chirurgical Hall at the University of Aberdeen and copies of this limited edition publication may be purchased through the website www.capercailliebooks.co.uk

Lord Dean of Guild Colin Taylor is pleased to highlight and inform of another publication, this one is by one of our Assessors, Graham Shanks

Titled ‘Yet Another Glorious Day’, it is the transcript of the 1915 diary of an Aberdeen University student (Alexander Rule from Huntly) who was a member of U Company, 4th Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders. When war was declared, Rule volunteered for service overseas and this book enhances the transcript.  The book is available at The Gordon Highlanders Museum and Graham will be signing copies there on 5th December.  It is also available through eBay, Amazon or by contacting the Author on gjshanks@btinternet.com.

Please click on link below for forthcoming event

Buchan Lecture

The Lord Dean of Guild has noted and on behalf of all Burgesses wishes to record and congratulate the following Fellow Burgesses on their recently awarded personal successes.

ANDREW LAWTIE has been appointed VICE LORD LIEUTENANT of the CITY of ABERDEEN

MICHAEL LOGGIE has been named the overall EY SCOTLAND ENTREPRENEUR of the YEAR 2015

Ronald Watt has been inducted into the EUROPEAN MARTIAL ARTS HALL of FAME 2015

Places Still Available for Central Library Visit

Places are still available for the Visit to Central Library as detailed below:

Tuesday 22nd September – Visit to the Central Library – 6.00 pm

This visit to the Central Library on Rosemount Viaduct will consist of a brief talk about the history of the building, followed by a guided tour in smaller groups. The Library can accommodate up to 40. Partners/guests are welcome and a finger buffet will be provided, the charge is £10 per person.

If you wish to attend any of the events, please can you email Clerk Garry Stevens at clerk@aberdeenburgesses.com. Payment can be made by two methods:

By cheque made payable to “Burgesses of Guild of the City of Aberdeen” and sent to Garry at – Garry Stevens, Financial Services Manager, Commercial & Procurement Service, Aberdeen City Council, Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen, AB16 5GB

Or

Bank Transfer to – Account 50325609, Sort Code 82-60-11. Please ensure you give your name as reference.

The first event played between the Burgesses of Guild and the Incorporated Trades was a golf match which took place at Deeside Golf Club on Tuesday 1 September. The Burgesses of Guild were the victors with a score of 342 Stableford points with the Incorporated Trades scoring 327 points.

The overall highest individual Stableford point’s winner was James Strathdee (Incorporated Trades – Bakers) with 36 points. Hugh Black of the Burgesses of Guild was winner of the Annual Burgesses Golf trophy played for at the same time.

A very enjoyable afternoon was had by both groups. The Late Deacon Convenor David Parkinson and Lord Dean Of Guild Colin Taylor have both jointly funded the friendship trophy, and are both keen to see the trophy played between both organisations as often as possible covering other events. Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Thanks to both David and Colin for putting up the trophy,Colin Campbell and Garry Stevens for assisting in organising the event, and Deeside Golf Club for hosting the event.

Photos below of the winners.

Late Deacon Convenor David Parkinson presents the trophy to the Lord Dean of Guild

Late Deacon Convenor with individual winner James Strathdee

Lord Dean of Guild with Burgess of Guild Golf Trophy winner Hugh Black