An Aberdeen community stalwart has said saving a threatened Victorian school from demolition was his “proudest moment” as he steps down from the helm of the group.
David Fryer, who has served as secretary of the influential Torry Community Council for the past five years, has presided over his last meeting of the organisation this week.
Mr Fryer says he will remain a member of the group but was standing aside from its running to concentrate on other projects – particularly his presidency of the Rotary Club of Aberdeen St. Fitticks.
During his tenure the Torry group has hit the headlines many times with high profile campaigns on local issues from fighting the controversial incinerator development, tackling the infamous “Torry pong” and raising questions over the polluted St Fittick’s burn.
But last night the 63-year-old said that stopping the leveling of the Victoria Road school for a private flats development was his finest hour.
He said: “This obviously wasn’t just the community council that objected but I think we helped highlight the issue and there ended up being a record number of objections, more than 500, from across the world.
“While I will not be as involved in the day-to-day running, my commitment to Torry and the issues here is undiminished.
“Torry is a special place with a special history and heritage and over the last five years I have done my utmost to protect that.
“But now it is time for younger blood and I will be standing aside.”
Torry and Ferryhill councillor Alan Donnelly, who has long clashed with the community council over many high profile projects in the area, noted his work for the community.
“I wish him all the best with what he has planned for the future,” he said.