News Archive
PRESS RELEASE – 28/11/2007
Dubai Monument Competition – Winner on top of the World
A Dundee schoolboy has won a competition to come up with ideas for a major international monument to showcase the City of Discovery.
And 13 year old Eddie Hunt, a pupil at Morgan Academy, aimed high with his concept – in fact the highest point in the city.
Eddie’s concept of a design based around the 571ft Law Hill, with a fountain incorporated and a representation of the River Tay at its base, claimed top spot the judging panel.
Gillian Riddoch of Hilton Dundee, Lord Provost John Letford
and winner Eddie Hunt. Photograph courtesy of Fotopress.
Professional designers will now go to work on making Eddie’s vision come to life.
Around 100 entries – including many from city schools – were received following the announcement of the public competition open to all in Dundee.
Dubai, Sister City to Dundee, invited the City of Discovery to submit plans for a monument to represent the modern Dundee. The Dubai Municipality will then create the monument in Za’abeel Park, one of the cosmopolitan city’s main parks, alongside monuments to cities such as Geneva, Istanbul, Shanghai and Osaka.
To that end, The City of Discovery Campaign in conjunction with the City Council, the Al-Maktoum Institute, Six Cities Design Festival, Hilton Hotels and Emirates Airline asked local people to take part in a unique competition to decide what the sculpture or monument should be and send their concepts for the monument.
Drawing skills were irrelevant, with the ideas and concepts the vital ingredients in the competition.
Presenting Eddie with his prize, Lord Provost John Letford said: “The Law is perhaps the best known and most enduring feature of the city’s skyline, and is visible from miles around. The City has grown around it and developed and evolved over centuries, and so the judges felt that Eddie’s concept was totally appropriate.”
“He has done extremely well to win. There were around a hundred entries, and the judging took some time because of the variety and the excellent standard. It is great to see that Dundee people took this project to their hearts, and let their imaginations run riot.”
Eddie said: “It is fantastic to win. I thought it was a good idea, but I had no idea it would turn out to be the winner. I am just delighted, and look forward to visiting Dubai.”
Eddie’s winning entry brought him a prize of £500 and he will also receive return flights (courtesy of Emirates) for two on their non-stop service from Glasgow to Dubai with three nights accommodation at the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah (sponsored by Hilton Dundee).
Tom McDermott, general manager of the Hilton Dundee said: “We are delighted to have been involved in such an inspirational competition and to see one of the city's young people recognised for his vision and imagination. This monument will be of enormous benefit in raising the profile of the City of Discovery across the globe.”
Vic Sheppard, Emirates’ Vice President, UK & Ireland, said: “As a carrier that looks to innovate in everything that it does, Emirates is delighted to support this visionary competition, which will help to further strengthen links between Dundee and our home base of Dubai. We congratulate Eddie on his innovative design, and applaud all those who took part.”
Runners up are to receive prizes of book tokens as well…
PRESS RELEASE – 25/11/2007
Festive Fun at Discovery Christmas Lights Switch-on
Dundee City Centre played host to an entertainment extravaganza on Sunday 25th November as X Factor ‘Kings of Scottish Hearts’, The MacDonald Bros wowed a crowd of around 18,000 at this year’s Christmas lights switch-on celebrations.
The gold selling album artists treated the waiting crowds to new and old hits from their second album entitled ‘The World Outside’ and the first single from the new album, a brilliant never before released song by Elton John called Runaway (Do You Love Me)
For the first time this year, an additional stage organised by Radio Tay, featured a Blind Date competition and local band Page 6. The strong musical element continued when Dundee band The Law took to the High Street stage with a set including their second single ‘Still Got Friday To Go’.
Santa spread festive cheer from his horse drawn sleigh, accompanied by dancing elves from Dorwin Stage School. Meanwhile, Splash the Clown, Duncan the Dragon and his Princess, Dundee Junior Showtime and Claypotts Castle primary school face painters, balloon modellers spread Christmas joy to both young and old.
The Christmas message presented by Lord Provost John Letford was followed by a light spectacular when the crowds were dazzled with rooftop pyrotechnics and the switch on of the Dundee’s Christmas illuminations.
Chair of the City of Discovery Campaign Lord Provost John Letford, said “This year's programme of events had a great mix of entertainment for all the family with Santa Claus, Duncan the Dragon and Splash the Clown meeting all the youngsters, while music fans will appreciate the contemporary sounds of Page 6 and The Law and The MacDonald Brothers.”
“Every year the Dundee Christmas Lights Switch-on programmed activities create a real sense of festive cheer and excitement, helping everyone involved get into the Christmas spirit and this year was no different.”
Dundee City Council economic development convener Councillor Joe Morrow said “Dundee is building a real reputation as a regional retail centre and this type of quality event highlights the city’s strengths.”
City Centre Manager Lorna McKenzie sees the city centre as a perfect location to host festive activities – pulling together Dundee city and regional residents and visitors to enjoy a day of both shopping and fun around the city centre.
She said, “We love the mix of interactive and staged entertainment.”
PRESS RELEASE – 20/11/2007
Festive Fun at Discovery Christmas Lights Switch-on
Dundee City Centre will play host to an entertainment extravaganza on Sunday 25th November as X Factor ‘Kings of Scottish Hearts’, The MacDonald Bros wow the crowds at this year’s Christmas lights switch-on celebrations.
The gold selling album artists will treat the waiting crowds to new and old hits from their second album entitled ‘The World Outside’ and the first single from the new album, a brilliant never before released song by Elton John called Runaway (Do You Love Me).
For the first time this year, an additional stage organised by Radio Tay, will be set up at the Cowgate in front of the Wellgate Shopping Centre area from 1.25pm. The Radio Tay stage will feature a Blind Date competition with £500 worth of Wellgate shopping vouchers up for grabs, and local band Page 6 on stage at 3.10pm.
A strong musical element is in place to fill all tastes. Also headlining the bill on the High Street stage will be Dundee band The Law at 4.10pm with a set including their second single ‘Still Got Friday To Go’.
The festivities are expected to bring several thousand people to the city centre streets, and will spread city centre wide with a mixture of interactive and musical entertainment designed for the whole family to enjoy.
Santa will be spreading festive cheer from his horse drawn sleigh, accompanied by dancing elves (Dorwin Stage School) from Panmure to High Street from 1.30pm. Meanwhile face painters, balloon modellers, a magical stilt walking fairy, glowstick seller, magician, Splash the Clown, Duncan the Dragon and his Princess will be spreading Christmas joy to both young and old.
Dundee Junior Showtime and Claypotts Castle primary school will be taking audiences to a winter wonderland by singing Christmas carols inside Wellgate (1.00pm – 2.45pm) and Overgate (2.00pm – 4.00pm) respectively.
Businesses and retailers in the city centre should benefit from the 18 – 20,000 strong crowd that organisers hope to pull in on the day. Due to health & safety requirements heras fencing will be erected again this year so get down early to enjoy all the fun in the main arena and City Square.
The Christmas message presented by Lord Provost John Letford will be followed by a light spectacular. The crowds will be dazzled as a rooftop pyrotechnics show fills the evening sky and Dundee’s Christmas illuminations are switched on.
Chair of the City of Discovery Campaign Lord Provost John Letford, said “I am looking forward to the day’s festivities, hearing The MacDonald Brothers and taking part in the fun around the city centre”.
“This year's programme of events has a great mix of entertainment for all the family with Santa Claus, Duncan the Dragon and Splash the Clown meeting all the youngsters, while music fans will appreciate the contemporary sounds of Page 6 and The Law.”
“Every year the Dundee Christmas Lights Switch-on programmed activities create a real sense of festive cheer and excitement, helping everyone involved get into the Christmas spirit and this year is no different.”
Dundee City Council economic development convener Councillor Joe Morrow said, “I am sure that many thousands of people will come to the city centre to enjoy this family friendly Christmas lights switch-on.”
“Dundee is building a real reputation as a regional retail centre and this type of quality event highlights the city's strengths.”
City Centre Manager Lorna McKenzie sees the city centre as a perfect location to host festive activities – pulling together Dundee city and regional residents and visitors to enjoy a day of both shopping and fun around the city centre. She said, "We love the mix of interactive and staged entertainment."
"I am very excited to be adding to this year's programme with the additional stage based in at the Wellgate, where Radio Tay is hosting the Blind Date competition and local band Page 6.”
"We are also very pleased to involve local stage schools and primary children to share with us in celebrating the magic of Christmas."
Can all retailers and visitors please note that road closures will be in force from 6.00am – 7.00pm with buses being redirected, not using Commercial Street.