Aberdeen youngsters make voices heard on Hall of Heroes

10 February 2017

School pupils have been choosing their “heroes” for a new Aberdeen visitor attraction.

As part of the City Centre Masterplan, Provost Skene’s House is being redeveloped to tell the story of local people who helped transform the wider world.

The ground floor is to become a “Hall of Heroes”, drawn from Stars of Stage and Screen; Musical Maestros; Sporting Champions; Wizard Wordsmiths; and Scientific Saviours.

Booklets about those who will feature, including the hero candidates, were handed out to every city school when the poll was launched on January 23.

P7 youngsters at Dyce Primary have been doing project work on the Hall of Heroes.

Teacher Emma Petrie said: "Pupils are currently enjoying a whole school topic on Scotland. The opportunity to look at the Hall of Heroes lent itself to our topic.

“Each pupil was allowed to research those who were nominated for the honour of entering the Hall of Heroes. They then had the challenging task of debating who deserved their votes.

“The whole class thoroughly enjoyed the voting process and were pleased that we were then able to submit these to Aberdeen City Council."

Councillor Angela Taylor, convener of the City Council’s education and children’s services committee, visited Dyce Primary to chat with a class about their choices.

Cllr Taylor said: “It was great to see the enthusiasm of the youngsters and to hear the reasons for their selections.

“The Masterplan is a 25-year vision, so it’s vitally important that we capture the views of youngsters when taking projects forward.

“I hope that adults across the city will take inspiration from the youngsters and make sure they have their say too before the poll closes on Sunday.”

A Primary 7 class at the Holy Family RC Primary School have also been taking part.

Acting Principal Teacher Suzanne Stephen: “Each child has done additional internet research about the person they chose and is currently writing a report.

“This was a very valuable opportunity for the pupils to learn about local heroes and the talents that surround us in our area.

“The pupils have loved finding out more about their chosen hero.”

All of the heroes will be showcased at Provost Skene’s House (pictured above). The poll is to give them an additional presence on the ground, with more than 1,700 people having voted so far.

In all, more than 100 individuals will be celebrated in the Guestrow building, which is being renovated through the £1.5 million Masterplan project.

The line-up, which was drawn up by a steering group, ranges from Nobel-winning scientists to stars of the stage to sporting champions.

The poll closes at midnight on February 12 and can be accessed online through the City Council’s website.

Voting forms are also available at Marischal College, libraries and community centres.

To vote, visit: https://consultation.aberdeencity.gov.uk/consultation/hall-of-heroes/