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Register nowToday the Queen’s Baton visited Scotland’s third largest city Aberdeen. The Granite City- as it is often called due to granite being the stone used to construct many of its buildings- is a booming economic hub of Scotland thanks to its pulsating oil and gas industry.
The city also has a vibrant sporting history which is spearheaded by Aberdeen Football Club which is the only Scottish club to have won two European trophies. The baton relay spent the day visiting some of the many sporting sites that the north-eastern city has to offer. There were stops at Royal Aberdeen Golf Glub which is hosting the 2014 Scottish Open, Aberdeen’s Sport Village, the sport facilities at Robert Gordon’s University and Pittodrie Football stadium, the beating heart of the Aberdeen football.
Despite a cloudy day spirits were high as the baton took to the water not once but twice. Olympic champion Tim Baillie carried it on a canoe, then Colin Wallace took it for a jaunt on a TEMPSC, which for those of us who don’t work on oil rigs is a “totally enclosed propelled survival craft”. The oil platform lifeboat was a reflection of Aberdeen’s vital oil and gas industry.
Aberdeen’s citizens lined the streets to see the city’s extraordinary batonbearers such as Lorna Clyne. Lorna has volunteered within Scottish hockey for over four decades, and injects full-time commitment into many voluntary roles. President of both the North District Hockey Association and her own club, Lorna also sits on the Scottish Hockey Youth and Discipline committees.
Joining Lorna was William Berry who has doggedly led Scotland’s only voluntary sports council (Aberdeen Sports Council) for many years, and subsequently received an MBE from the Queen for his services to Judo. Not only this, but he is a Senior Judo UK Official at 8th Dan level.
Team Scotland rhythmic gymnastics champion and Aberdeen girl, Rebecca Bee carried the baton down Union Street in Aberdeen before passing the Queen’s Baton to final carrier of the day, double Commonwealth gold medallist, David Carry. David won gold in the 400 metre freestyle and 400 metre individual medley swimming disciplines at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and rounded off an eventful day in the city’s Union Terrace Gardens.
| 08.05 | Bridge of Don |
| 09.30 | Danestone |
| 10.00 | Northfield |
| 11.25 | Mannofield |
| 12.00 | Gathdee |
| 14.30 | Footdee |
| 15.20 | Esplanade |
| 16.35 | Old Aberdeen |
| 18.15 | City Centre |
By holding dances, Mamie has managed to raise an incredible £66,000 for charity. That she’s soon reaching 80 next year has not slowed her passion for local fundraising down one iota. A cancer-survivor and previous recipient of the ‘Spirit of the Community Award’, Mamie teaches dance class every week, with some her students with sight difficulties.
Bill Berry MBE has doggedly led Scotland’s only voluntary sports council (Aberdeen Sports Council) for many years, and subsequently received an MBE from the Queen for his services to Judo. Not only this, but he is a Senior Judo UK Official at 8th Dan level, and his own judo club accommodates those with disabilities who are keen on learning the sport with weekly classes. For decades Bill has supported grassroots sport in Aberdeen for all ages and abilities.
Lorna has volunteered within Scottish hockey for over four decades, and injects full-time commitment into many voluntary roles. President of both the North District Hockey Association and her own club, Lorna also sits on the Scottish Hockey Youth and Discipline committees.
At only 18, Carl has already clocked up over 1000 hours of volunteering since 2011, and has been decorated in awards for his dedicated and selfless work. He was recently presented with the Aberdeen City Council's ‘Children and Young People's Working in the Community Award’ and was also nominated for the Physical Achievement Award for his personal and team efforts in Scotland-wide Paralympic and Special Olympics swimming and athletics events.
At only 18, Carl has already clocked up over 1000 hours of volunteering since 2011, and has been decorated in awards for his dedicated and selfless work. He was recently presented with the Aberdeen City Council's ‘Children and Young People's Working in the Community Award’ and was also nominated for the Physical Achievement Award for his personal and team efforts in Scotland-wide Paralympic and Special Olympics swimming and athletics events.
Born back in 1926, Bessie resides at Aberdeen’s Ruthrieston House. She refuses to let age hamper her activities, with regular technogym weight sessions, ten pin bowling and chair Zumba. Those around her claim her zest for life and thirst for trying new things is contagious, with one close friend adding she is, “an inspiration to everyone, one who never lets what she can’t do stop her from doing what she can”. She even took a trophy home at the 2012 Golden Games.
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