Evening of celebration for Aberdeen Brigaders on 28th September All welcome!

2

EVENING TO HONOUR THE ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL BRIGADERS 24 November

You are warmly invited to attend an evening to honour Aberdeen's International Brigaders on November 24, 2017 at 6.45pm in Aberdeen Town House Council Chambers.  

This will be followed by Music from 9pm at The Rusty Nail, 67 Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen.

The programme for the evening is as follows:

6.45pm Teas & Coffee

7pm Introduction by Tommy Campbell, Chair of Aberdeen 15th International Brigade Committee and welcome from the  Lord Provost

7.15 pm Presentation by Nina Londragan on the Aberdeen International Brigaders and their Connections to the First and Second World Wars as well as the Spanish Civil War followed by Question & Answers.

8pm Songs & Poems.

Please let Tommy Campbell know if you are planning to get along to either or both of these events.

Celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades

All friends and supporters of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, the Morning Star and Aberdeen TUC are invited to attend an event to commemorate and honour the Aberdonian International Brigaders on the 80th anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades.

The event will be held in the Town House, Broad Street , Aberdeen on Friday 25th November at 7pm to 9pm.

There will be presentations from relatives of the International Brigaders as follows --

Bob Cooney’s nephew Councillor Neil Cooney – an outline of the anti-fascist struggle in Aberdeen that lead up to the nineteen local men going to defend democracy and fight Fascism in Spain

John Londragan’s grand-daughter Nina Londragan – an outline of the lives of the five Aberdonians who died defending democracy and fighting Fascism on the battlefields of Spain

In addition Davy Kettyles , a senior Organiser with Unite in Ireland will give an outline on the role of the Irish International Brigaders who formed the Connolly Column in Spain many of whom also sacrificed their lives defending democracy and fighting Fascism in Spain.

There will also be poetry and songs throughout the evening.

This event is sponsored by the Aberdeen Morning Star Supports Group and the affiliated Unions of Aberdeen Trades Union Council.

All friends and supporters of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, the Morning Star and Aberdeen TUC are very welcome to attend.

¡NO PASARÁN!

Are you related to a Brigader from the Spanish Civil War? The STV would like to hear from you.

The STV's The People’s History show is doing a number of pieces on the Spanish Civil War and would like to interview brigaders' families for this show.

Ian Hendry of STV said, "I’m aware that the last Scottish veteran, Thomas Watters passed away in 2012 but I was wondering if there were any brigaders' family members that would be willing to be interviewed. 

"We would also use the content for our daily magazine show Live@Five."

If you are the relative of a brigader and interested in being interviewed you can contact Ian at Ian.Hendry@stv.tv

  

International Brigades remembered at the AGM weekend in Aberdeen

The 2015 AGM of the International Brigade Memorial Trust was a huge success as delegates from across the UK, Ireland, Germany amongst other countries came together in Aberdeen.

Unveiling of the plaque to
Bob Cooney by Neil Cooney

The weekend saw the unveiling of two plaques, one to Bob Cooney and the other to John Londragan who gives his name to the ATUC premises, John Londragan House, both of whom fought in Spain.

Brian Carroll of the ATUC said, "Congratulations to Tommy Campbell and all those involved in hosting the International Brigade Memorial Trust AGM in Aberdeen.

"We also owe a big thank you to Aberdeen City Council for hosting a civic reception for AGM delegates on the Friday evening and for providing the venues for all the events that took place over the weekend.

"Aberdeen saw many of its citizens go to Spain to fight fascism during the Spanish Civil War, some of whom died during the conflict. The bloodstained flag which became a shroud for two of the fallen, is displayed in the ATUC office.

Antifascistas Exhibition in the Central Library, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen from 1st Sept - 31st October 2015

The International Brigade Memorial Trust’s “Antifascistas” exhibition will be held at the Central Library, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen AB25 1GW from 1st September – 31st October 2015 Mon-Sat 9am-5pm (8pm on Mon and Weds).

Get along if you can to find out and learn about a fascinating and interesting piece of history and the role of British volunteers in the Spanish Civil war and the struggle against fascism. Many volunteers from Aberdeen were amongst those who fought for freedom in Spain..