Financial trouble at The Gaudie: Fundraising appeal launched
It emerged earlier today that The Gaudie, the University of Aberdeen student newspaper, was in financial trouble. The team has launched a funding appeal to strengthen its position as it approaches its 90th year.
Known for its student-centric reporting since 1934, The Gaudie publishes a print edition every two weeks during term time. We hold immense admiration for the paper, recognising its vital role in the fabric of our city. It serves as a catalyst for nurturing young writers and fostering the development of future journalists.
A vital role in the fabric of Aberdeen
At POST, we regularly share their articles to a broader audience through our social media channels. Their voice is as important as any other local publication. But they have faced the same funding issues as many other people and organisations in the city. To maintain Scotland's longest-standing independent student newspaper, we're asking you, if you are able, to donate to their Go Fund Me page.
As The Gaudie enters its 90th year of publication in 2024, its dedication remains resolute. The paper is an essential platform within the University of Aberdeen and beyond. So...we'll hand the reins over to Editor in Chief Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, to directly appeal to you.
An appeal from The Gaudie
If you went to the University of Aberdeen, you've probably heard of us. As one student once told me, The Gaudie 'gets all the tea'- (older readers, do not be alarmed, that's modern parlance for being good journalists).
Since 1934, we've been standing for quality and independent journalism while focusing on issues people care about- as Scotland's oldest independent student newspaper.
Just this year, we've brought you in-depth reporting on community campaigns to reverse funding cuts by Aberdeen City Council, as well as a bevy of film reviews, election coverage, and investigative journalism.
This excellent coverage can be found in the print edition of our newspaper, released every two weeks during the academic term, as well as online on our website.
Ninety years ago, we charged one penny to buy a copy of the newspaper. Today, all of our content is offered free of charge—without paywalls, subscriptions, or pesky advertisements.
We need your help
So why am I writing this article? Well, simply put, we have identified a significant funding shortfall for the upcoming academic year.
Due to this, we only have enough funds to pay for two editions of the paper this autumn (rather than our normal four). Any editions published in the spring will be dependent on funding grants, which are not guaranteed.
As we celebrate our 90th year of publishing in 2024, we continue to be committed to the ideals of independence, integrity, and creativity which have characterised our work since its conception.
But we need your help. The paper will not be able to survive at its current capacity without the necessary funding.
If you would like to join us in the campaign to ensure The Gaudie can continue for another ninety years, we'd invite you to consider donating to our Go Fund Me or emailing us at editor@thegaudie.com with any funding ideas or suggestions.
Thank you, from all of us at The Gaudie.
Fresh new plans for Lemon Tree
Aberdeen Performing Arts have announced that The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen’s iconic live venue, is set to get a striking refresh. They've moved the project on to the next stage after approving a new outline scheme. They will now also begin a fundraising campaign.
They have planned a new studio, foyer, café, meeting room, and an accessible entrance on Shoe Lane. There is also a proposal to create a new outdoor seating and performance area within an urban cottage garden. Although Lemon Tree Lounge and Lemon Tree Studio will continue to exist, the team will work to improve improve staging, sight-lines, technical facilities, and accessibility.
Radiohead, Snow Patrol, Travis, Texas, Mogwai, Public Service Broadcasting and also Emeli Sandé have performed at the iconic city venue. In addition, the Lemon Tree is an essential stop on the performing arts tour circuit.
The board unanimously adopted the proposed scheme and agreed to move to the next stage of design development. They will also submit an application for planning consent by year's end. Previously Aberdeen Performing Arts commissioned architects to undertake a study to look at options for upgrading the venue.
Discovering tomorrow's legends today
Jane Spiers Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive said: “2022 is the 30th anniversary of the Lemon Tree. In that time, it has built up an enviable reputation nationally and internationally for discovering tomorrow’s legends today and supporting homegrown talent.
“The plans retain the informal, friendly, intimate, off-beat style and story that is so unique to the Lemon Tree and are focussed on creating a more accessible, integrated environment and experience for audiences, artists and employees alike.”
The plans for the Lemon Tree also align with Aberdeen City Council’s commitment to regenerate the city centre. A new culturally-integrated development at Queen Street will also hopefully bring tangible benefits to the local economy and community.
Shape the next chapters of Aberdeen's story
Culture Aberdeen, a partnership of cultural organisations in the city, have welcomed the proposals. Dr Duncan Cockburn from Culture Aberdeen was clear about the benefits of expanding the Lemon Tree. He told us, “This development has the potential to be a distinctive feature of the Aberdeen economic development story”
He also added that it was a great opportunity for arts and culture, artists and creative practitioners to help shape and drive the next chapters of Aberdeen’s story.
Richard Murphy Architects have been working on the project. They have undertaken several transformational arts and cultural projects. Past work includes the Stirling Tolbooth, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre Peebles. Furthermore, they have worked on Perth Theatre and the New National Centre for Music in Edinburgh.
Aberdeen Performing Arts chair Craig Pike told us, “The Lemon Tree has a special place in Aberdeen’s story and we are now setting the stage for a bright future which will benefit communities, business and the cultural sector in the city. Aberdeen Performing Arts has also pledged to get the fundraising campaign underway, we hope everyone will join us on the journey and get behind this exciting project for the city and nation.”
2021: Our Year in Review!
Community
POST Aberdeen's 2021: Our Year in Review!
By Kevin Mitchell
2021 was quite a year and the good news is that this is not an article about that 2021. This is about POST Aberdeen’s 2021, our community, content, interests and gives a sign of where we can all go in 2022!
2021 was the year we continued to grow as a community, the year we launched a lot of new ideas, new stories and even our new website! We’ve continued to grow our online communities across social media, our new email newsletter and continue to be part of the biggest community in Aberdeen thanks to nearly 18k of you on Twitter!
So let’s take a look at our Year in Review!
New & Noteworthy
We launched our website!
After building our communities across social media, it was time for the next stage in POST's journey - a new website! This website expands our entire communities ability to share content and stories as we build postabdn.com to become a content hub of our city directly from it's community.
The Lounge
The Lounge compiles some of the very best local music into a regularly regularly playlist available directly to you on Spotify and Apple Music!
Our ‘Temp Check’ Stories
Our incredible ‘Temp Check’ series; interviews from people around Aberdeen, sharing interests, passions and their journey through the past year.
Temp Check: Mark McAulay from Singularity Sauce Co.
Singularity Sauce Co.'s Mark McAuley talks to us about his Aberdeenshire based craft hot sauce company, and launching in a pandemic.
Temp Check – Louise Grant from Aberdeen Brewery Fierce Beer
Fierce Beer’s Louise Grant talks to us about building a brewery, running a business through the covid emergency and bouncing back with the help of community.
Temp Check – Lauren Mitchell from Northsound Radio
We chat with Northsound 1 presenter Lauren Mitchell about her love of radio, how she got started and staying positive even in a global crisis.
Your Aberdeen – Email Newsletter
There’s so much happening on the surface and deep within our communities in your city of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire; so much that we now put together a monthly newsletter of all the highlights we have caught.
No spam, just a collection of stories and images from the heart of Aberdeen delivered to you each month.
BAS9 Ambassadors
We were proud to be Ambassadors of the British Art Show (BAS9) on display in Aberdeens Art Gallery. The British Art Show is a landmark touring exhibition that celebrates the vitality of recent art made in Britain and having this prestigious exhibition in Aberdeen was truly incredible.
Job Vacancies on Facebook
With recent changes to Facebook Jobs in the UK and the need to share opportunities within the community, we launched Job Vacancies on Facebook! This job focussed Page enables organisations to share a job posting FOR FREE!
Simply message Job Vacancies with your job details, any image, links to apply, etc. and we will get it listed and shared!
Aberdeen’s biggest online community and the beginning of POST Aberdeen, our Twitter account has continued to grow through 2021 as has our communities engagement!
17,828
Followers
+55%
Tweet ♥ year-on-year
Filming continues today on @jonsbaird’s #Tetris movie in a beautiful #Aberdeen. @TaronEgerton waves to onlooking fans as he prepares for his next shot. 🎥 pic.twitter.com/2fDNh0qL0A
— Post | Aberdeen News (@aberdeencity) February 21, 2021
You still want to go to this guy’s golf course?
— Post | Aberdeen News (@aberdeencity) January 6, 2021
A forest of masts stretched across Aberdeen Harbour...it’s a mere 30 years ago since the Tall Ships Race came to the Granite City. ⚓️ https://t.co/XdYQAVnLHo pic.twitter.com/kr6rS5kuoO
— Post | Aberdeen News (@aberdeencity) March 11, 2021
Our Facebook community is still young, but we’ve seen great reach and engagement in 2021 with plans to increase community content through 2022.
+25%
New Followers
+35%
Comments year-on-year
Our Instagram primarily shares the beauty of Aberdeen City and Shire through photographs and videos from you, our community. There’s no better place to enjoy the visual inspiration of Aberdeen!
+22%
New Followers
What Next?
Everything you have come to expect will continue in 2022! In addition, we are already working on two new series of content which we aim to bring in the coming weeks around food and drink in the city and activities. If you are in the food and drink industry, please reach out to us on social media!
This year we are also going to launch something we are extremely excited about; something for content creators and publishers that we feel can be a force of good for all – The POST Network. Keep an eye out for more on this soon or sign up to our email newsletter to know first!
We are also always looking to hear from you within our communities. If you have a story to share, please reach out!
We can’t thank you all enough for being part of our journey through 2021! We created POST to shine a light on our city and the people within it, and with your support over the past year, we have certainly achieved that!
Before we sign off, we’d just like to thank the following people and organisations who have helped us stay sane and achieve some special moments. You are awesome!
Angela Joss / Gary Kemp (Doric Skateboards) / Ica Headlam (Big Up The Deen) / Mark Stirton / Louise Grant (Fierce Beer) / Grant Martin / Lauren Mitchell (Northsound 1) / Mark McAulay (Singularity Sauce Co) / Chris Henderson / Ian Watt (Code The City) / Louis Seivwright / Chef / Vagrant Real Estate / Jim Ewan (Anatomy Rooms) / Kirsty Lawie and Naomi Christie (Leopard Arts) / Rachel Campbell (Aberdeen Performing Arts) / Moray Barber and Jill Simpson (TEDx Aberdeen) / Lesley Anne Rose (Open Road) / Charlotte Little / Neil Fachie MBE / Susan Strachan / Colin Farquhar (Belmont Cinema) / Rachel Jack / Stuart McPhee (Siberia Bar & Hotel) / Mary Louise Butterworth and Jon Reid (Kekun Studio) / Reema Shoaib / Look Again / Aberdeen Performing Arts / Aberdeen Lynx Ice Hockey Club / Aberdeen Art Gallery / Nuart Aberdeen / Aberdeen City Council / Aberdeen Inspired / our Instagram community and contributors / Brulafu, Jamsie and Matt / our patient families / … and you!
Here’s to 2022!!!
Kevin and Chris.
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