Fishing memorial agreed at Full Council

17 August 2016

A memorial commemorating the men and women who worked in Aberdeen’s fishing industry through peacetime and wartime has taken a step forward with the approval of a report at Full Council today. (Weds 17 Aug)

Approval was given to the report which proposed a working group to oversee the project and to look at factors such as location, costs, shortlisting and selecting the artist and art form, and an opening event.

The working group will include the Lord Provost, the City Council’s Cultural Policy and Partnership Manager, and two industry experts.

The working group will agree a budget for the commission and installation of the works; the preferred site for the piece; the commissioning process, shortlisting and selection of the artist and art form; the timescale for completion; and any formal opening event, including the invitation of dignitaries.

A total of £50,000 has already been agreed from the city’s Common Good budget towards the commission, and a further contribution from the fishing industry is being considered.

Aberdeen Lord Provost George Adam, who suggested the memorial, said: “It is only right that Aberdeen has a fitting and lasting memorial to the men and women who lived, worked and died in it, in peacetime and in war, and to commemorate the major contribution which fishing has made to the city’s life and heritage.

“The local fishing industry approached us about this and we’re only too glad to bring this forward and it will be good to work with them on this worthwhile project.”

The Full Council also agreed that the working group meets cyclically and progress reports will be sent to each member of the group.