Torcher Parade – 1st May 2010
The Torcher Parade is not at all as gruesome as its name suggest! Currently the largest student torch-lit parade in Europe, it combines the whole Aberdeenshire community, from children, students and adults, bring the community together and allowing everyone to take part in this historical event. It’s a time when everything from a Baywatch theme to a snowboarding scene comes together and parades the streets of Aberdeen with over 2,000 students in fancy dress and over 50 decorated floats. It is one of the largest events in the charities calendar and well worth seeing, whether its watching from the sidelines of the street or from the top of a wooden made mountain on a moving float.
Charities Fortnight
The Torcher Parade is our largest and most historical event in our charities calendar. It signifies the end of the famous Charities Fortnight which starts with Aberdeen’s biggest selling student musical, the famous Student Show. Student Show is the most successful charity musical in the country and runs for the first week of the Charities Fortnight.
Gala Saturday marks the end of the first week of the Charities Fortnight. This historical gala features street performances, arts and crafts, cultural stall and a general carnival atmosphere around the city centre of Aberdeen.
The last week in Charities Fortnight features the build up to the Torcher Parade which occurs in the evening of the final Saturday. This annual parade follows the famous route from Marischal College along to Queen’s Cross and then back along Union Street.
The History Of The Torcher Parade
The Torcher Parade in 2009 will be running for the 87th year. It is Europe’s largest student torch-lit parade which we encourage Aberdeenshire residents of all ages to come out on to the streets to celebrate the event all in the name of Charity.
Past
The Torcher Parade was established in 1889 by nurses of the Royal Infirmary who used to run the Torcher Parade to help fund the wards. However, with the formation of Aberdeen Students’ Charities Campaign in1921 the Torcher was taken over and has now grown to be the largest student torch-lit parade in Europe which it still is today. The route has historically followed the same route since the change in the mid seventies from Union Grove to Ablyn Place.
Present
Today the Torcher Parade is still one of our largest fundraising events and aims to raise thousands of pounds to support the local charities we aim to support. Last year, however the parade was stopped short at Queen’s Cross due to an unforeseen accident on Union Street involving a bike crashing into the awaiting crowd. For further information click here.
The Parade Route
The planned route for the procession makes its way down the crowd lined streets from Marischal College, Upperkirkgate, Schoolhill, Rosemount Viaduct and Skene St. to Queen’s Cross. At the halfway point, torches are lit before continuing down Albyn Place and Union Street back to Broad St.
THANKYOU's for last year's event
Torcher wouldn't be the fantatsic event and fundraiser it is without a lot of help and here are a few individuals and organisations we would like to say a HUGE THANKYOU to for their support:
Colin Lawson - Lorry company owner who is always willing to donate his personal time and has worked tirelessly to help facilitate this years event.
Sandy Buchan - Always keen to support the torcher parade every year and help organise the logistics of the ever important cash handling
A massive thank you to EIS Waste Services for providing the skips for the Torcher Parade.
EIS Waste Services
Gallowhill
Nigg, Aberdeen, AB12 4LP
01224 784100
Aberdeen City Council – www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
Grampian Police - www.grampian.police.uk
Northsound Radio - www.northsound.co.uk
Ferguson Seacabs - www.fergusonseacabs.com
Whyte Crane Hire – www.whytecranes.com
Red Cross - www.redcross.org.uk
Moby’s Fish and Chip Shop – Justice Mill Lane – For every fish supper sold £1 goes towards to Torcher Parade
Walkers Shortbread Limited - www.walkersshortbread.com
Clariant Oil Services UK Ltd - www.clariant.co.uk
Falck Nutec Ltd.- www.falcknutec.co.uk
K&L Ross - www.klross.com
