Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Dr David Cameron

Myself and The Lady Provost were invited to The Priory of Scotland, which is part of the Confraternity of the Knights of the Most Holy Trinity, as they held an investiture at Trinity Hall on Sunday 17th March. The Confraternity is based on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Grand Master Metropolitan Lorenzo, Archbishop of Palermo and Italy conducted the service of investiture. Also in attendance was member Captain Charles Starnes who is Mayor of Plainview, Texas.

Earlier this week I was delighted to attend the 12th annual Grampian Houston Gateway Business event which was held at Norwood Hall Hotel. The event was a fantastic networking opportunity for all those in attendance and I met with some delegates that had travelled from Houston, Texas - Frank Landreneau of PKF Texas, Jacqui Watt who was the event Chair, Sang Shin of Jackson Walker LLP, and Graeme Laughton of Three60 Energy.

I have recently returned from a 2-day trip to Stavanger in Norway where I undertook a number of engagements. I attended meetings with our fellow European cities of the World Energy Cities Partnership – Stavanger, Groningen, Esbjerg – to discuss recent updates from our energy transition journeys and opportunities to collaborate and work together. Pictured with me are Sissel Knutsen Hegdal, Mayor, City of Stavanger and Philip Broeksma, Vice-Mayor, Municipality of Groningen. PhD students from each city were also brought together on the same day to discuss their transition-related projects and incorporating a comparative element to their work between the cities. I also joined a panel session at the High Wind Conference. It attracted around 250 representatives of the offshore wind industry to discuss progress, challenges, supply chain and political ambitions. I shared Aberdeen’s experience on achieving coexistence between industries in the marine space.

This week, myself and The Lady Provost hosted an afternoon tea to mark the 95th anniversary of the Soroptimist International Aberdeen. The group is part of a worldwide volunteer organisation for women who want to transform the lives of other women and girls. It was my pleasure to host the event and I met the Soroptimist President Ruth Stuart and Regional President of Scotland North, Anne McAlistair.

Yesterday I attended the ABZWorks Awards and met with Angela Taylor, Team Leader of the project and ABZWorks client Kasia Rozmarynowska and her Daughter Amelia. Kasia is being supported to start her own translation and interpreting business through the SEED Fund for business start ups. Along with ABZWorks, Kasia has been supported by Business Gateway. Kasia was just one of the many clients being celebrated at the first ever ABZWorks Celebration Event.

At the weekend, I was honoured to attend the annual Gordonian Association Dinner, accompanied by the Lady Provost. The event was held at the Marcliffe of Pitfodels and the constitution of the association states that by virtue of my office, I become Honorary President of the Gordonian Association - a role I was delighted to accept. It was a very enjoyable evening where I met with many of the association's members, including Laurence McLeod, President of the Gordonian Association and Neil Lawrie, President Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils Club.

Earlier this week I was delighted to attend an open morning at the new ACVO (Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations) offices at the Castlegate. I met with a number of guests as well as ACVO staff and members of partner organisations. ACVO is Aberdeen's 3rd sector interface who work tirelessly to ensure that the city's 3rd sector is fully supported, represented, funded and informed.

On Saturday, myself and the Lady Provost were invited to the annual University Boat Race, which was held on the River Dee. It was great to witness such sporting competitiveness in what is such a historical race held in our city, with the winners trophy so keenly sought after! The race was very well attended and both teams received amazing support along the riverside, and I congratulate the University of Aberdeen team on their victory!

Last week I attended an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASH- Scotland (Action on Smoking and Health) and met their CEO Sheila Duffy. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASH Scotland they are showcasing the health charity’s collaborative work with the University of Aberdeen and in the city’s communities with Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation. They have also been working with NHS Grampian’s Quit Your Way smoking cessation service to raise awareness about the harms associated with tobacco and related products, and the support available.

Earlier this week, myself and The Lady Provost were invited to attend the launch of the Denis Law RGUplus Award. The Denis Law Legacy Trust RGUplus Award aims to reward the commitment and social responsibility of people making a positive difference and lasting impact to both themselves and others through volunteering - just as Denis Law himself has through the work of the Denis Law Legacy Trust in Aberdeen. This award will compliment the existing RGUplus award that gives students access to a range of opportunities at RGU, which will take them on a journey from citizen to global citizen and help them stand out from the crowd. It was great to meet with many people at the event including Denis' son Gary Law, Aberdeen Football Club legend Willie Miller and some Street Sport volunteers.