Latest news with #MarischalCollege
Press and Journal
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Gallery: Grampian Pride 2025 draws crowds in celebration of inclusion and diversity
Thousands turned out for Grampian Pride 2025, which took place in Aberdeen this Saturday June 7. This year's Grampian Pride was bigger than ever, attracting people from all over the North East to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. The event was held by Four Pillars LGBT+ Charity, which aims to protect and support the LGBTQ+ community. The event was split into two parts, a parade which started at 11 am, going from Albyn Place and finishing outside Marischal College, followed by a Pride Village was held at Duthie Park from 1 pm to 8 pm. The Pride Village included fun attractions for all ages, local food vendors, stalls, rides, bouncy castles, and for the first time, a Cabaret Tent showcasing local performers, including headliner, Wyldkat. The event emphasized continued support for the LGBTQ+ community in Aberdeen. P&J photographer was there to capture all the best moments.
Press and Journal
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
GALLERY: Thousands line streets of Aberdeen for cup final celebration parade
Aberdeen city centre was awash with red and white as thousands of jubilant fans were on parade through the streets to celebrate their football club's Scottish Cup win. Supporters of Aberdeen FC turned out in force on Sunday afternoon, creating a carnival atmosphere for the players and coaching staff during the official open-top bus parade through the city. Starting at Albyn Street, the bus made its way along Union Street before concluding at Marischal College, where club legends addressed the crowd. The parade, organised to honour the historic win at the Scottish Cup Final, saw fans waving flags, chanting club anthems and cheering on their heroes. The team won 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw following extra time at Hampden Park the day before. Young fans and long-time season ticket holders gathered shoulder-to-shoulder, with some arriving hours early to secure the best viewing spots. Streets were closed to traffic as the bus crawled through the heart of the Granite City. The parade also featured a pipe band, youth teams and former players who joined the procession, much to the delight of the crowd. Many fans sported the club's latest strip, while others dug out retro shirts from previous decades. Children perched on their parents' shoulders to catch a glimpse of the squad, with flares and confetti filling the air. Local businesses reported a boost in trade, with bars and cafes along the parade route enjoying brisk sales throughout the day. Aberdeen FC's cup win has reignited passion among supporters and brought the community together in celebration.
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Woman discovers granny's lost diaries revealing time as student during World War 2
A woman has unearthed diaries penned by her grandmother, detailing her experiences as a university student during WWII. Ruth Mellis, a project manager at the University of Aberdeen, received the diaries following the death of Mary Newland in 2017. She found the carefully maintained records kept during her gran's time as a student from 1939-1942. Her entries about trips to the cinema and social gatherings gradually became interspersed with increasing references to the war. Eventually, Mary volunteered to serve as a fire warden, stationed on the roof of Marischal College. Ruth shared: "Gran was very proud of being a graduate of Aberdeen University and shared the story of her fire marshal duties with many. "She made lifelong friends during her studies and spoke of her adventures on the roof of Marischal College and the many ladders involved! "She was very matter of fact about this time and that everyone had to do their bit during the war." Mary was born on a farm in Speymouth, Scotland and studied English, history, geology and geography at university. Upon starting her degree, she used the green diary provided to each student. She applied her meticulous nature to her student diary, making concise, neat notes alongside the timetable information, useful phone numbers and details for the student's representative council. Mary documented her social activities, essay deadlines and debating society obligations, along with glimpses of how life carried on as usual in the early stages of the war, including th. On February 23, 1940, a campfire was planned. The only hints of the significant societal shifts are found in her brief notes where she mentions that 'countries have to make tremendous sacrifices' and provides addresses for a NAAFI and RAF bases. However, by the 1940-41 session, the impact of war becomes more evident in her entries, with the diary's colour also changing to blue. Mary's academic year in 1940 kicks off with a Dance at Udny Green, a Halloween party, Harvest Thanksgiving, and in December, 'a big family party at Aunt Mary's'. But by January 1941, she records on a home visit 'military clearing the roads', and the next day (Sunday Jan 26), 'military back again, almost landed in a troop train'. On Thursday, January 30, an air raid warning disrupts her classes in the morning, and by February, she notes friends and classmates being sent to various locations. By mid-February, the frequency of air raid reports and nights spent in shelters increases, along with references to donning gas masks, and she mentions trying to complete essays after air raids. On Monday, March 7, 1941, sirens and the need to evacuate interrupt her Geography exam. Amidst these events, Mary takes on additional responsibilities as a city fire warden while continuing her studies, and on Sunday, May 4, she describes her unique viewpoint from the roof of Marischal College for the first time. Throughout this period, she describes juggling her duties. Juggling university studies and fire watching duties, by Wednesday 18 June, she admits to 'falling asleep periodically'. The records of air strikes on Aberdeen underscore the importance of the fire watching roles undertaken by many university students. Aberdeen bore the brunt of the most air raids in Scotland during World War II, with several significant hits occurring near the University. Loch Street, in proximity to Marischal College where Mary kept vigil on the roof, was hit in February 1941, resulting in the destruction of McBride's Bar and 89 Loch Street. On July 3, high explosive bombs were dropped on Marischal Street, Regent Quay, Pontoon Dock No. 2 off Albert Quay, Clyde Street & the Lime Company Buildings on Blaikie's Quay. There was also a concentration of activity near King's College, with multiple attacks on the vicinity around Clifton and Hilton Road. In 1942, the danger moved even closer with an air raid on Saturday, April 25, causing damage to buildings at the junction of Summerfield Terrace & King Street. Mary graduated amidst bombing campaigns targeting the city, and when Aberdeen faced its darkest day on April 21, 1943, she had commenced her teacher training. Within a mere 44 minutes, 127 bombs fell, damaging or obliterating over 12,000 homes and claiming the lives of 98 civilians and 27 soldiers. The 'Aberdeen Blitz' significantly affected the streets surrounding King's College, including Regent Walk and King Street where nine high-explosive bombs fell. At 519 King Street, the corner of the block. The area was ravaged by bombs, and on Bedford Road, an entire family tragically lost their lives when a row of houses was destroyed. However, as Mary's diaries demonstrate, life and studies continued despite the chaos. By 1943, she had completed her teacher training and began her teaching career at Clackmarras public school in Moray, going on to teach at both primary and secondary levels across the region for the next 40 years. The memory of her time on the roof of Marischal College remained with her, according to her granddaughter Ruth. Ruth said: "I had no idea she'd kept such detailed diaries of her time at University and they're fascinating to read and get a glimpse of what it would have been like. "She was such a strong lady who was full of fun and she just got on with things which is very much shown in her diaries, she would love that her memories are being shared."
Press and Journal
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Grampian Pride 2025: Parade, pride village and all you need to know
Grampian Pride returns to the Granite City on Saturday June 7, welcoming thousands to Union Street and Duthie Park. The event is organised by LGBT+ charity Four Pillars and its army of volunteers. In 2024, Grampian Pride hit a 10,000 attendance milestone and 2025 is likely to exceed that number. Grampian Pride is split into two main events – the parade and a pride village – so here is all you need to know for the day. Pride tickets are free and available on Eventbrite. This will get you admission into the pride village at Duthie Park. VIP tickets are also available for £10. These grant early wristband exchange, access via their own VIP entrance, a VIP area at the front of the performance stage and a VIP bar. Grampian Pride will be held on Saturday June 7. The parade through the city centre will begin at 11am. And the pride village will be open from 1pm until 8pm. The pride parade will follow the same route as in 2024, due to ongoing roadworks on the central section of Union Street. The parade will line up at Albyn Place and head down Union Street before turning onto Union Terrace. From there, the route turns right onto Schoolhill before heading down Upperkirkgate and finishing outside Marischal College. This year, the parade will be led by the First Bus pride bus, as well as local sports teams including Aberdeen Frontrunners. The pride village is located at Duthie Park and can only be accessed via the main entrance to the south unless you have a VIP ticket. Security, bag checks and wristband exchange will be conducted before entry. The pride village has been upgraded from last year, including the addition of some rides courtesy of Codona's. Last year's offering included a silent disco tent. That has, however, been replaced by the cabaret tent, which will feature local talent performing for crowds. There will also be a family zone with a large bouncy castle. The main stage has an exciting line-up hosted by Aberdeen drag performer Scarlett Diamonte. The main act, Wyldkat, will take to the stage at 5pm. In addition to entertainment, there will be dozens of stalls from companies and organisations across the north-east. These include Police Scotland, Aberdeen Cyrenians, Moray Rape Crisis, Shelter Scotland, The Belmont Cinema and Victim Support Scotland. The pride village has two bars – one serving alcohol located next to the VIP entrance run by Cheerz, and a juice bar located next to the Four Pillars pride shop. Food options include burgers from G & M Whyte, noodles from Salt & Chilli Noodle Bar, Lokma donut balls from Popseys, stuffed cookies from Cookie Cult and ice cream from Shorty's and Little Miss Whippy.
CNN
29-03-2025
- General
- CNN
Remains of murdered Australian Aboriginal man repatriated by British university
The skull of an Aboriginal man who is thought to have been killed by colonizers in the early 19th century has been returned for burial in Tasmania from a British university. The remains of the unidentified young man will be laid to rest in a ceremonial burial on the Australian island on Friday, the University of Aberdeen said in a statement published Wednesday. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, which will hold the long-delayed burial, was first contacted by the Scottish university in 2019 with a proposal for repatriation. This was approved the following year. Details of how the university came to be in possession of the skull – which is missing its lower jaw – are limited, the university said. What is known is that it was part of the collection of William MacGillivray, professor of natural history at Marischal College, a forerunner of the modern Aberdeen University. When MacGillivray died in 1852, the university bought his collection. The sale catalog from that purchase described the remains as belonging to a 'native of Van Diemen's Land, who was shot on the Shannon River.' Van Diemen's Land was the colonial name for Tasmania. There is no surviving record to explain how the skull was acquired. It was initially kept in the university's comparative anatomy collection before being transferred to its human culture collection in the early 2000s. Back in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was used to teach medicine. According to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, which is quoted in the university statement, there is 'no doubt that this skull was removed from the man shot at the Shannon River in order to service (the) trade in Aboriginal body parts.' It went on to say of the killing, which probably took place in the 1820s or 1830s: 'The decapitation was most likely performed by one of the killers, stock-keepers, property owners or lessees involved in or associated with the man's murder.' While the man's identity is unlikely to ever be established, the statement said, he is known to have been part of the Big River tribe, which was completely wiped out. Andry Sculthorpe, of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, stressed the importance of repatriation. He said: 'Aboriginal people feel the enormous responsibility of restoring to our own country both the physical remains, and through them, the spirits of our ancestral dead. 'This is a record of racist attitudes to the study of humanity, including human remains acquired by grave robbing and other immoral activity; in this case, murder. 'We applaud the institutions that have the courage to let go of their perceptions of intellectual supremacy, embrace their own humanity and do what is right by the people who are most impacted by the atrocities they have inflicted in the past. This young man's murder will not be forgotten and we will bring him home to rest at last.' The University of Aberdeen said it has 'a well-established procedure for considering repatriation from the collections in its care' and previous returns have included a Benin bronze, returned to Nigeria in 2021. Neil Curtis, the university's head of museums and special collections, said: 'Given the violence and racism that led to their acquisition, it would be unacceptable for these ancestral remains to be used for research, teaching or exhibitions purposes. 'We are pleased that the remains of this young man can now be handed over to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre for appropriate burial in his homeland.'
