Doonies Farm group wins firms’ support

A campaign group established to save an under-threat council farm for rare breeds near Aberdeen from closure has secured free support from two leading professional advisers.

The Friends of Doonies campaign group announced last night that law firm Maclay Murray and Spens and with chartered accountants Meston Reid had pledged to provide legal and financial advice and support to the group.

Friends of Doonies are volunteers who are battling to save Doonies Farm at Cove after it was earmarked for closure following controversial £27million budget cuts by Aberdeen City Council.

The group is now preparing a business plan to take over the running of the farm after they were granted a 60-day reprieve last month to turn the centre into a cultural tourist attraction.

Group chairman John Sleigh said: “To secure the long-term future of the facility, we need to ensure we have a viable business proposition.

“We are also looking for individuals and businesses to come forward with some initial sponsorship funding which will allow us to continue to operate for the next six months.”

Mark Brown, of Meston Reid, said the company was delighted to support the farm.

John Findlay, of Maclay Murray and Spens, added: “Doonies Farm is a well-known and popular attraction in the north-east.

“We are delighted to assist in the campaign to save it and to give our services to Friends of Doonies on a pro bono basis.”

Mr Sleigh added that the farm remained open to the public meantime.