Past Times

GALLERY: The Powis area of Aberdeen through the decades

1989 - The Clown Jewels from Invergordon with John McGeoch (left) and David Smith (right) with young assistant Lee Hicks at the Powis Community Festival.

By Findlay Mair

August 14 2022, 5:00 pm

August 14 2022, 5:00 pm

We have raked more than half a century though our archives to shine the spotlight on some fun times in Powis in Aberdeen.

Powis, just outside the city centre, has hosted several festivals throughout the years and fostered a tight knit spirit throughout the community.

Our pictures go back to 1971 and the installation of a new public play area in Powis.

We also see youngsters hard at work on various creative projects while living in the area including a magazine and developing photography skills.

Do you see yourself in these pictures? What are your favourite memories of Powis? Let us know in the comments section!

5 April 1989 Helper Mr Frank Kane with the mask of a policeman at St Machar Academy yesterday. Getting on with the work are James Wilson and his brother, Jason. Colourful pageantry involving a dragon, snake and other creatures comes to Powis, Aberdeen, on Saturday.<br /> The reason is the first Powis Community Festival which is being pieced together in the local community centre and St Machar Academy by a team of volunteers. — 1989 – James and Jason WIlson paint a cutout of a policeman for Frank Kane to pose in at the first ever Powis Community Festival. The first festival was held at the local community centre and St Machar Academy

1992 - Fred Perry, 24, Lee Downey, 15, Derek McDonald, 26, and Michael Cooper, 11, practice playing their instruments in front of the community centre in Powis, Aberdeen — 1992 – Fred Perry, 24, Lee Downey, 15, Derek McDonald, 26, and Michael Cooper, 11, practice playing their instruments in front of the community centre

18 March 1982 — 1982 – James Esson, Charles Malcolm, Patrick Judge, David Morrison and Stephen Reid while out working on making a magazine about Powis

15 April 1993 'That's the one: Jason Wilson (17) and Kamah Hussain, of the Powis Young People's Project, get down to some printing in the darkroom for the Fotofeis photography festival. Members of an Aberdeen youth poject recently hit by a break-in are saying ''cheese'' after winning a £500 gant in a national photography festival. The windfall follows a break-in at the Powis Young People's Project, Powis Circle, Aberdeen, two weeks ago. The group is continuing with its contribution to the North East's Fotofeis festival. They intend to show Aberdonians what it's like to be a ''Young Powiser'' by producing pictures which depict their home area. Group members will use photography and words to make people aware of the hive of activity and community spirit in the area — 1993 – Jason Wilson, 17, and Kamah Hussain of the Powis Young People’s Project work in the darkroom for the north-east’s Fotofeis festival

Budding musicians, with their tutors, try out some of the instruments at a music free-for-all held in Aberdeens Powis Community Centre on Saturday as part of the Powis Multi-Arts project, funded by Aberdeen District Council. February 1992 — 1992 – Budding musicians, with their tutors, try out instruments at a music free-for-all held in Powis Community Centre as part of the Powis Multi-Arts project

13 December 1987 — 1987 – An all-girls afternoon at the Powis Community Centre to encourage participation in the Powis Young Unemployed Project

April 24 1981 -Leonard Patterson, David Morrison, Stephen Reid and Patrick Judge of Powis Academy pose with photographs they took of the area during their Easter holidays. — 1981 – Leonard Patterson, David Morrison, Stephen Reid and Patrick Judge of Powis Academy pose with photographs they took of the area during their Easter holidays.

April 9 1989 - The Clown Jewels from Invergordon with John McGeoch (left) and David Smith (right) with young assistant Lee Hicks at the Powis Community Festival. — 1989 – The Clown Jewels from Invergordon with John McGeoch (left) and David Smith (right) with young assistant Lee Hicks at the Powis Community Festival.

February 14 1988 All smiles as Phil Robertson and Fred Perry find the key to success on the electronic organ at the Powis workshop. — 1988 – All smiles as Phil Robertson and Fred Perry find the key to success on the electronic organ at the Powis workshop.

March 31 1989 - Pictured left, organisers Denise Whyte, Robert Duthie (front), Dorothy Kanemane and Susan Mennie (rear) pit the finishing touches to some of the masks. Powis is getting ready for its big day in a week's time. Locals have joined forces to make props and costumes for the area's festival next Saturday. Bunting and flags will decorate houses and a large marquee is being erected behind the community centre. The event will be started by Lord Provost R.A. Robertson, who will plant a new tree to replace one blown down a month ago. Co-ordinator Nick Millar said "We have about 30 adults working on it and all the children that use the centre. The whole day is a day of performance, music and celebration for all the people of Powis. The festival has been made possible by grants totalling £3000 from Aberdeen District Council and the Scottish Arts Council. — 1989 – Organisers of Powis Community Festival – Denise Whyte, Robert Duthie, Dorothy Kanemane and Susan Mennie – put the finishing touches to a mask

March 1993 - Aberdeen councillor Maureen Irons has a go as she helps launch a new adventure playground for children in the city's Powis area. A whole new world of adventure opened up to youngsters today on a busy Aberdeen estate. Community leaders hop the new adventure playground in Powis will keep youngsters off the streets and out of mischief. The £14,000 playground was funded from a £200,000 pool of cash set aside by Aberdeen District Council to provide more facilities for youngsters. District councillor Maureen Irons identified Powis as a suitable site for some of the first cash and was delighted to see the ground open to children after a year's planning. — 1993 – Councillor Maureen Irons helps launch a new adventure playground in Powis.

17 August 1971 - Powis youngsters, delighted with the news of a new play area near their homes, make a happy picture with some of the Police Cadets — 1971 – Youngsters share their delight at a new play area near their home in Powis

25 May 1991 - Young people from Powis, the Ready for Life Group, held a car-wash at Halfords, Bedford Road, Aberdeen, on Saturday to raise money for an educational trip to Aberdeen's twin city, Regensburg, in October. They are, from left: Lee Downey (15); Kenny Rankine (15); Donna Fraser (15); Stuart Downey (17); Claire Dale (14) and Willie Jackson (17) — 1991 – Lee Downey, 15, Kenny Rankine, 15, Donna Fraser, 15, Stuart Downey, 17, Claire Dale, 14, and Willie Jackson, 17, of the Ready for Life Group host a car wash to try and raise money to visit Aberdeen’s twin city Regensburg

3 September 1981 Powis Place, Aberdeen — 1981 – An overhead shot of Powis Place

1988 - Alison Souter helps Philip Duthie fix his fingering on the saxophone, urging him to ''make friends'' with the instrument.' — 1988 – Alison Souter helps Philip Duthie fix his fingering on the saxophone, urging him to ”make friends” with the instrument.’

Conversation