Aberdeen fountain set to flow once more

Aberdeen City Council has teamed up with The Stewart Group, the international shipbroker, to breathe new life into an ailing fountain in the city centre.

The water feature forms the centrepiece of the Rubislaw and Queen’s Terrace Gardens in the west-end - a popular spot for school children and office workers – but it has been out of commission for some time.

Made of pink granite, the square pool and fountain were erected to commemorate Aberdeen’s success in the Britain In Bloom awards for 1969, 1970 and 1971.

The Stewart Group, based at City Wharf, Shiprow, agreed to work with Aberdeen City Council as part of a wider project to give the gardens a well-deserved makeover for the city’s entry in this year’s Britain In Bloom challenge.

As well as the fountain refurbishment, council ground staff have worked tirelessly to improve the flower and shrub border at the back of the gardens by planting tall evergreens to provide a foil for the flowering plants at the front.

Aberdeen City Council Environment Manager Steven Shaw said: “This is another excellent example of the public sector working with a private firm for the benefit of Aberdeen as a whole. There has been a focus on the gardens of late with planting sessions designed to give a spread of colour and interest over several months rather than a splash of colour for a few months in the summer."

“Without a doubt having the fountain working was key to this project and we were delighted when The Stewart Group agreed to work with us on this - without their generosity it simply would not have happened. The Stewart Group has also funded other floral projects in the city centre and is clearly committed to making Aberdeen a greener, healthier and more beautiful city, which can only improve our chances in the Britain In Bloom finals later this summer.”

Myles MacKintosh, Senior Partner at The Stewart Group, said: “We were delighted to play our part in supporting the restoration of the fountain. We take an active role in the areas in which we operate and this is another fine example of The Stewart Group engaging with organisations to make the communities we live in better.”

Councillor Neil Cooney, convener of Aberdeen City Council’s Housing and Environment Committee, added: “It is fantastic to hear that this popular green space in the city centre has been enhanced for the continued enjoyment of the hundreds of people who use it to take a breather from their busy lives. Council staff must be commended for their proactive approach on this, while The Stewart Group has shown great initiative and community spirit. I am sure all users of the gardens will be very grateful for the council’s efforts and The Stewart Group’s contribution.”

The Stewart Group has continued its community responsibility commitment by funding hanging flower baskets outside its new Aberdeen offices. Flowers will adorn lamplighters in the thriving Shiprow area of the city. The company has previously provided funding to Aberdeen City Council for flower beds at Queen’s Cross roundabout and Rubislaw and Queen’s Terrace Gardens.

Aberdeen City Council is always keen to hear from any business which is interested in becoming an In Bloom partner. There are several ways to get involved, from installing hanging baskets or window boxes to funding floral planters and beds. For more information contact the council by calling 01224 321254 or 07834 199174.

Rubislaw and Queens Terrace Gardens are officially two separate areas only bisected by one road which runs between them so are often considered one park.

They cover a two-and-a-half acre area stretching westwards from the city centre between Rubislaw Terrace and Albyn Place. The gardens are predominantly set to lawn and feature protected mature trees, some of which are over a century old.

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