The Torcher Parade is a traditional, community-centred event that has been running in Aberdeen for 126 years. The students of the University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University and the North East Scotland College lead the renowned parade, which also relies heavily on the participation from local schools and the local community.

Through the Aberdeen University Students' Association’s (AUSA) Raising and Giving Campaign (RAG) every year over 37 local charities based in the North East benefit from donations from the parade.

This year, the Torcher Parade has seen more hurdles, obstacles and barriers than any previous year and with a heavy heart Holly Bruce, the parade organiser, has decided the parade that has been running for 126 consecutive years will not see its 127^th year.

The reasons for its cancellation are outlined below:

• Critically with regards to this year’s parade, communication with some of our key stakeholders was lacking.  Despite claims to the contrary AUSA have been fully pro-active since October 2015 with regards to organising the parade. In November, it was highlighted that there may be a potential issue with traffic management and this could not be guaranteed at this time due to continuing commitments with winter parades. As well as this, various attempts to communicate were made by AUSA in December to solve this particular issue. A change of date (the 26^th) was suggested by the parade organiser – although this was not deemed suitable for the majority of the students it was a last ditch attempt to gain clarification on the date in order for the parade to go ahead.

• In January, clarification was still being sought on whether or not our licence had been granted. Once again traffic management could not be guaranteed. At this point a facilitation meeting was organised to solve the issue – however adequate representation from the relevant parties was not given. With one month leading up to the event and with the majority of it organised, AUSA were at a standstill as to whether or not the parade would go ahead.

• As a direct result of the discussions from this meeting a huge effort was made to ensure the parade could go ahead as planned on the 19^th March.  External companies were sought to organise the traffic management, however due to the late notice this cost was prohibitive to our charitable efforts. In addition a change of route was proposed, reducing the resource required for trained volunteers to manage the roads, unfortunately not enough volunteers could be obtained by the relevant party. Finally, at the Licensing Board the disappointing decision was made to reject the application for the procession on the date of the 19^th March. At this meeting all options were discussed and a change of date seemed, to some, the only option – however with over 150 external charities, volunteers, students and companies to contact, changing the date and the whole running of the event is no small task.

Holly Bruce, the President of Charities and Communities at Aberdeen University Students' Association (AUSA) has stated:

‘We are really disappointed with the lack of support from some of the major stakeholders in continuing the success of this parade. Coming from Fraserburgh, I’ve attended Torcher at all stages of my life, from toddler, to school child, student on the float and now finally as event organiser so it is with a heavy heart that the parade cannot continue as planned.

We have slowly but surely, managed to get both the community and the students back on side. A poster competition was launched with primary school children and visits to schools have all been a success. We even got alumni and previous Charities Presidents flying from all over the world to help on the day – it is devastating, but we have no choice. ‘

Colin Lawson from Colin Lawson Transport Ltd had always been an advocate of Torcher Parade by donating his lorries. He has worked very closely with Holly this year to ensure the parade will not die-out.

 He has stated:

‘The Torcher Parade is a huge part of the community and culture in Aberdeen, I know that all efforts have been made this year to ensure to keep it alive and it will be very sad to see it go.’

Sandy McKinnon – business owner and ex-charities president

‘It’s all about the Community at Foodstory and the Torcher Parade is the essence of this, Aberdeen has the opportunity to give itself as a destination town – we are losing things like this and it isn’t good enough’

‘From my experience organising the parade in 2008, Holly has faced the same barriers as I did. From my experience it is not an issue of safety, but logistics. The Charities President always has a massive fight on their hands and this year in particular it has been completely unfair.’

The parade has been a significant event in Aberdeen’s history and it represents the unique and vibrant culture of the Granite City, bringing together communities from across the City and Shire. AUSA as well as many others are devastated to see the parade go; in particular there has been fantastic support from the local Councillors, Police Scotland, Robert Gordon’s University, North East Scotland College, Colin Lawson Ltd, Sandy Buchan and charity alumni.

AUSA are working hard to create a ‘Farewell for now’ to the Torcher Parade. This event is being planned for Saturday the 19^th of March on Elphinstone Lawn at the University of Aberdeen.