:: We Dundee

We Back Dundee as a City of Culture

2791

PEOPLE AND GROWING

Dundee City Council’s Instrumental Music Service is an amazing programme. It educates pupils in musicianship and in performance of an instrument of their choice. The instructors are of the highest calibre, many of them having been professional performers, and pupils are actively encouraged to take part in ensembles. I, personally, have made my best friends. The service has shaped who I am as a person and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity it provided me with. It is definitely a ‘hidden gem’.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee Science Festival which takes place in November reaches over 14,000 people over a two week period. Events are really diverse ranging from people like Ben Miller talking about his book - 'It's not rocket science' to family fun days and community events. This festival is only three years old and is Scotland's fastest growing science festival. Since its inception three years ago, more than 60 partners now join in annually to put on these amazing events and what is really exciting is that it isn't just scientists. Restaurateurs, hairdressers, museum workers, comedians, teachers, pupils, community leaders - to name a few - all come together to celebrate science, innovation and discovery. In a city like Dundee where science is part of Dundee's heritage and culture, I find this truly exciting.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> “Up wi the Bonnets O’ Bonnie Dundee - ” Before it was called Hilltown it was Bonnet Hill. Fashion design bonnets (not baseball caps,) bonnets for women and men, jaunty blue bonnets that have Dundee’s crest on them with Bonnie Dundee woven around it - and slogans - for tourists: “City of Culture, Will you no come back Again”
Give the bonnets out to every one in Dundee, if they are stylish, all will wear them - a city with it’s population sporting - City of Culture Bonnets!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The energy, the facilities and the potential. What a wonderful city to be associated with!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The hidden community arts work that Dundee Rep do is extraordinary - speak to their Community Drama Officer

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The annual 'Dundee Blues Bonanza' is a great event for meeting people from all over the UK and Europe. Lots of bands, large and small, play in cafes and bars all over the City and also do music workshops, for young and old!! It's the biggest 'free' Blues Bonanza in Europe and this year is it's19th anniversary!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For a city of its size, Dundee punches well above its weight - for good and the bad. While there are many problems to solve, thankfully the great cultural and social movements underway in the city are driving change on a scale that could have real positive impact.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is a busker who frequents the Murraygate and High Street, who plays the harmonica better than anyone I've ever heard. He plays blues and the experience is even better when someone, a stranger, joins in to accompany on vocals, which happens quite often.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I like the way Dundee is renewing itself, learning from its past and creating beautiful, interesting places. I love attending events, knowing I will meet interesting people who have lived all their lives in Dundee and have a wealth of stories about the city. I love the history of Dundee women as outlined in the Women's Heritage Trail which shows women's creativity, imagination, enterprise and courage - qualities which have helped to make the city what it is today.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Traveling across the bridge towards Dundee at night with the lights shining beautifully across the water.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> There is so much history to be proud of, and so many positives to look forward to. I love the views across the River Tay, the ability to see the whole City from The Law and the abundance of green space The vast changes that have taken place in the past 100 years from the 3 J's to manufacturing to biomedical and gaming hub is astounding! Dundee is just big enough to keep you excited, but small enough to retain a sense of community and you 'cannae walk aboot toon withoot bumpin intae somebody ye ken!'

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The most exciting thing for me recently was discovering all about the law tunnel! It would be amazing to be able to see it and walk through a piece of history that had been shut away for so long.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> All the different live music styles you can and participate in Dundee. Opportunities for all in different styles of music making, with the massive rock and Indie pop scene to the trad music folk sessions in the Fisherman's along side structured groups like Tayside Young Fiddlers and Dundee Srathspey and Reel society, and all the Wighton Workshops. Classical music buffs can take part in Dundee Symphony Orchestra, there's all the University music groups and there's all the amateur chamber music making that goes in the privacy of some of our own homes. It's been going on for years we're full of talent!!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Beautiful river views from the top of the Law, dolphin spotting down the Ferry and long woodland walks through Camperdown Park. Amazing place to bring up children!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I have lived in Dundee for over 40 years. I recently had a guided tour around the frigate Unicorn at Discovery Quay. A truly hidden gem in Dundee. Steeped in history on 4 decks I could imagine life as a crew member almost 200 years ago.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I am amazed at the depth of feeling and loyalty that Dundonians have for their city. Despite being one of Scotland's larger cities, the people make it feel like a village because they all know each other .

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I loved Dundee's people and their accent. It took getting used to but I soon came to love it and the many words I never knew exsited.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Its student friendliness and sunshine. I enjoy how many simple activities there are as well including walks and sites to see. The university is filled with nationalities and is a centre for culture.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee's whaling history and the associated exhibition in the refurbished McManus Gallery

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> the amazing speed at which it has developed into a cool city i.e. over the last 18 years since i went there to university

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has been more prominent in the history of Scotland than many people realise.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view from the Top of the Law (hill) - on a clear day you can see just how far Dundee has come in the past 100 years. Look north and you see the chimneys of old jute mills, look south and you see the University and Welcome Trust building at the University fo Dundee.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The view eastwards down the ancient Nethergate, with the spire of St Paul's Cathedral in the distance, is one of the country's most dramatic and under-rated street vistas.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The hidden work being done to support young people with no hidden agenda except to see the young people develop and reach their potential. The work being done at St Andrews church with the young mother, Hot Chocolate Trust are to name two. Working with these young people are people who believe in the young people of Dundee. The are attempting to play a part in changing the future of Dundee from 'the inside' believing that any sustainable change must be done now to affect the future, and must be done in people not wholly by policies and procedures.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a jewel in Scotlands crown. From the days of Jute, Jam & Journalism it has been reborn with the continuing development of the Waterfront. Looking forward with great excitment as the face of Dundee changes.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> If you open the door into libraries, you will find creative writing sessions for children, adults and young people, manga sessions, video games workshops for young creatives to develop their own games, as well as regular author events.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> As an 'honorary' Dundonian who has proudly worked here for nearly 20 years I feel sometimes that to the outside world the whole city is a hidden secret. From the beauty of the setting to the wealth of internationally sigificant heritage to the vibrancy of the cultural scene - all are waiting to be discovered. And when you add in the warm and welcoming people with their irrerevant sense of humour - a winning combination!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Voices in Harmony is a choir operating out of Whitfield Community Centre. Membership is around thirty plus and growing. The choir sings acappella and is led by Sarah Harrop who is very enthusiastic and inspirational.
Gigs are performed across the city including Marryatt Hall. Recently the choir worked in collaboration with Dundee Rep to perform "This Town" in Verdant Works.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a brilliant place to live. Not only does it have a vibrant student population (of which I am part of), it is populated by fun, friendly and extremely proud natives. The Dundee dialect can be particularly amusing and the city's history is magnificent.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Love the way they are re-developing the City's waterfront - traffic a serious pain however it will all be worth it in the end. Majority of Dundee citizens are kind and considerate people and are very generous with local charities as well as national ones, particularly Charlie Kean. The culture within the city is growing all the time which makes me proud to be a Dundonian!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> How we've grown up to be a city once again capable of inspiring, educating and encouraging our own, and those who become our own; proud of our past and confident about our future.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Schools orchestra concerts, nycos choir and youth musicals performed to very high standards...

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The closeness of everything, the view of dundee from the bridge, the beautiful mansions along the perth road & the large renovated former jute mills

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee has the only women's trail of its kind in the whole of the UK. You can get the free leaflet and talk a walk from plaque to plaque round the city centre, marvelling at the interesting lives and achievements of 25 notable women, and then go home and read of many more on the website dundeewomenstrail.org.uk. This is a city which has been known for its strong women. Doctors, witches, artists, mill workers, Suffragettes and business women - they're all here.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> For me, the people are what make Dundee. They are as spirited group of individuals, who are friendly and welcoming to people in their city. They also celebrate everything their city offers depsite the negative image it has been wrongly given

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Stores, cafes close too early. Later closings would encourage tourists to come and spend time more time in the city. As well after shows/concerts/theatre people would like a place to have coffee and/or light snacks.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The 24-hour bakery - a place full of wonder, magic and mystery!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> I attended the College of Art in the 70's and afterwards worked for the City Council for a short while. I was always impressed by the friendliness of the people and the richness of all art forms. After some time I revisited the city lsst year and the growth in arts venues and performance was fantastic. Dundee has worked hard over the last 30 years and deserves recognition for it.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> What has struck me is the entrepreneurial culture - from life sciences to art, it can be seen all over the city

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> The heart of the city to me is the university of Dundee and the Duncan of Jordanstone. Even before I was a student I was impressed by how it was a self-contained area and I enjoyed the atmosphere and diversity of life all along the Perth Road. In the summertime there are always new faces and this breathes new life into the city. It's a creative, buzzing place.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee decided a long time ago that it was not going to be talked down to and look where it is going. it is ever changing, looking to the future with V&A Dundee on its way, which will be housed within a stunning purpose built delight. But don't forget about the past look around and you can see what Dundee was with many beautiful buildings of years gone by.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> In some of the industrial port areas you will just sit for hours on, enjoying the old industrial, maybe a bit rotty looking sites with having the view on the see. As a student, I love this place for just relaxing and writing with the industrial 'landscape' aside. It just gives me goosebumps every time, thinking back to when this was one of the ports to the world. Strange, but stunning feeling!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Dundee is a perfect sized city, where you can run into friends that you know often, unlike in bigger cities. Is also big enough that you can meet a vast variety of different people.

Also the law hill is one of the most amazing places ever.

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Have lived here for 37 years and the difference in that time is huge - wonderful parks, flowers, tidiness, less litter at streets and beach and the McManus gallery refurbishment. The advent of the V and A and waterfront developments will have a further positive impact on Dundee.
City of Culture status would enhance even further. Good luck!

<b>Q) What surprises you about the city?</b><br><hr><b>A)</b> Born and bred here.Moved away for a few years but decided it was the only place I wanted to raise a family. Family members have attended the 'academies' - Harris Morgan Lawside and more recently Grove. Graduates of both universities have entered teaching and 3 generations have made our contributions to education. Am surprised at how moving I have found these comments and contributions and it's wonderful to see such support for 2017 in Dundee.

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