Miller Construction arranges temporary new home for Aberdeen War Memorial

Miller Construction recently assisted First ScotRail with re-housing an Aberdeen war memorial while work is underway on Hammerson’s £250 million Union Square development.

The firm – the main contractor on the city’s new retail and leisure development –assisted in moving this important piece of history from Aberdeen railway station to Grampian Transport Museum while the work progresses.

Miller Construction made a special casket for the transportation of the memorial – a large oak tablet bearing the names of employees of the Great North of Scotland Railway Company who lost their lives in the Great War – as well as arranging its safe transit to the museum.

Chris Connor, Site Manager, Miller Construction, said: “Union Square is an exciting regeneration project which will see the city centre change and evolve – but it is also important that we preserve its history for future generations.

“The relocation was a delicate operation but, along with Hammerson and First ScotRail, we felt it was essential to ensure the safekeeping of the memorial while ensuring it remained on public display.”

First ScotRail and Miller Construction have been working with Hammerson on the project, which will see significant improvements brought to Aberdeen.

The museum was delighted to take possession of the gilt-lettered oak tablet, which first went on display in 1921 in the GNSR company headquarters in Aberdeen.

Mike Ward, from Grampian Transport Museum, said: “We are honoured to house this new exhibit. As well as being a welcome added attraction to the museum, the memorial itself is sure to generate a new wave of interest.”

Kirsty Watson, Project Manager at First ScotRail said, “With such a strong connection to the railway, it was important for us that the memorial still be accessible by the public during its relocation. This has been done to allow work on the major redevelopment to continue without any risk. We very much look forward to the tablet returning home after its short stay.”

The memorial will be returned to Aberdeen railway station and a rededication ceremony will take place once it is in its new position.

Union Square will open in Autumn 2009.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The war memorial:

The memorial is on display at the Grampian Transport Museum at Alford, from Tuesday 15 July 2008. The tablet lists 93 of the company’s employees who lost their lives. It was first unveiled in 1921 by the Very Reverend Principal of the University of Aberdeen, Sir George Adam Smith, located in the GNSR company’s headquarters at 80 Guild Street, Aberdeen. In 1968 the memorial was moved to the Area Manager’s office at 25 Guild Street when the old HQ became part of the Station Hotel. In 1981 it was on the move again to the Travel Centre at Aberdeen Station. It was uplifted again into the second Travel Centre where it has resided until the closure for redevelopment.

Union Square:

Union Square is a £250million mixed-use, regeneration scheme creating a new retail and leisure quarter for Aberdeen. Developed by Hammerson, the scheme includes 56 retail units comprising a range of national and international brands, up to 12 restaurants and cafés, a 203 bed hotel and 10 screen multiplex, set to be Aberdeen’s largest cinema. The scheme will also provide visitors with a new civic square. Union Square will be Aberdeen's most accessible retail and leisure offer with 1,700 car parking spaces, easily reached from all major routes and integrated with the city's bus and rail stations – providing a gateway to the region and encouraging sustainable travel to the city.

Miller Construction:

Miller Construction is part of the Miller Group – the UK’s largest privately-owned housebuilding, property development and construction businesses. For more information visit www.construction.miller.co.uk

For further information
Lesley McIvor
Beattie Communications
01324 602 552