2025 Charity briefing

At our March meeting, Grampian JEC were delighted to welcome a director of Scottish Culture & Tradition (SC&T) Youth, https://scottishculture.org/ which has been nominated as our Charity for this year. There is a strong history of traditional music, prose and bothy ballads in the north east of Scotland, and we were shown how SC&T harnesses the amazing talent of local youngsters through musical education and community. One of their founding principles is that such education and, if necessary, instruments are provided free to children aged 6 - 18. Depending on demand, tutors are engaged for song, whistle, pipes, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, keyboards and drums. Classes take place weekly during term, with end of term concerts and a summer camp. In 2024, 180 attended the summer camp and 140 received tuition through the year. Performing is an important part of their ethos, and many go on to a career in traditional music. There is a strong connection to socially disadvantaged areas of Aberdeen and this provides an important outlet for them. At our meeting, we were entertained by SC&T Youth, and they have promised to perform at the Jaguar Drum Castle gathering on 27th July - another great reason to come along!

Grampian Transport Museum at Alford have secured some ex BBC Top Gear cars, most notably the memorable “TGV12” Jaguar XJS, which was fitted with train wheels. Two of our members volunteer at the museum but were unable to get it to start! Definitely worth a visit!