On Sunday we received excellent news - a second colt foal has been born at Doonies Farm. Eriskay ponies are categorised as “critical” on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist, so we hope these colts will grow into suitable breeding stallions and enable further development of the breed.

If you’d like to find out more about these lovely ponies, I’d suggest the official breed sites at http://www.eriskaypony.org.uk/ and http://www.eriskaypony.com

We’re hoping to get some photographs of the two colts soon. Below is a photo of the filly foal born in 2008 (Spirit of Doonies).

Many thanks to Michele for these lovely photos taken during our Easter weekend. A full report on this event will be posted shortly.

In the meantime, if you took any photos during our Easter weekend and would like them to appear on this site, please get in touch.

Click on a thumbnail to view a larger image.

[View with PicLens]

We are about to lose this unique local facility and the only way now for the farm to have a future is if YOU help.

Friends of Doonies who are all volunteers have tried to save the farm from closure.  Aberdeen City Council (ACC) is focussed on making financial savings and for the last year the group has struggled to meet the running costs. The farm has now passed back into the hands of ACC who are initiating procedures to close it down, this will happen by the end of July 2009 unless we act now.  The council is planning to sell all animals that are not pregnant – many could go during May.

The only argument which will be heard by ACC is that we have the ability to meet all running costs which are @8-10K per month.  We are therefore approaching businesses and local people, pleading to YOU to donate a figure of up to £50 (more if you feel this facility brings value to our community!).  Please give whatever you can afford, it will all add up.

There were 2,750 visitors to the farm over the Easter weekend which even in its present run down state allows hands on interaction with some of the most endangered rare breeds in the country.  Friends of Doonies have a vision that this farm with an indoor café and new barn can provide facilities to educate our children, provide employment and enjoyment for people with learning disabilities and create strong links with the education sector.  It can in the future become a financially self sustaining visitor attraction that we can be proud of – with a little help from you.

We will make applications for funding to numerous organisations such as the National Lottery but these applications can take a significant amount of time, we need to raise money to fund the farm in the meantime.

We are looking for financial pledges, donations and volunteers to help us.  If we can answer any questions you may have please “CONTACT US” and we will get back to you.

Donations can be made using Paypal on this site; or send a cheque made out to “The Friends of Doonies”
To:    Friends of Doonies
c/o Doonies Farm
Nigg
Aberdeen
AB12 3LT

If you are a UK taxpayer please drop us a note confirming this along with your name and address and the amount of your donation.  This enables us to claim gift aid from HMRC for your donation.

THANK YOU IN ANTICIPATION OF YOUR SUPPORT

Friends of Doonies would like to thank Shell and Esso, Aberdeen, for the generous donation of £1,500 which they recently made to Doonies Farm.

Dear Doonies Supporters

First of all – WE ARE STILL OPEN.  Pass it on!

Now Spring is here, the lambs and calves are arriving!  For the last few weeks we have had lambs arriving almost daily.  Our first calf was born to a Gloucester over at Lochinch Farm last week and a Longhorn had a calf here at Doonies on Monday!

We have planned an Easter Eggstravaganza on the 12th of April from 12pm to 4pm. Come along and roll your Easter Eggs, either bring your own or decorate one with us!  If you’re feeling creative you can make an Easter Bonnet too.

Our website www.dooniesfarm.co.uk has been revamped with a lot more information about the animals and we have now been able to set up Paypal for any kind person wishing to make a donation securely.

On a more serious note …

As you know Friends of Doonies have been running the farm since August 2008 and, despite the adversity of a harsh winter and the lack of funds to develop the site the group has been successful in increasing the visitor numbers from the previous years by almost 60%, as well as holding a holding a host of well attended and successful fundraising events.  This past weekend (7-8th March) has seen the farm really busy with about 550 people coming!  Very good news for us, with loads of positive feedback which has been collated to show the Council.

The fight to keep the farm open goes on and is now at a critical stage.  Further private funds are needed to keep covering the running costs, as well as reach the goal that Friends of Doonies has to make Doonies Farm a unique and interactive visitor centre for future generations of children and animals.  We have two big chances to do this:

10K Dash – Last week Friends of Doonies was approached with an overwhelming and generous pledge by an anonymous donor who appreciates what Doonies Farm has to offer, both now and in its vision for the future.  With a pledge of £10,000 this donor has asked that Friends of Doonies seeks an additional 9 supporters to match this kind of pledge and ensure the continued survival of the farm.  We realise this request may be outwith the reaches of many of our dedicated supporters which leads to our second request;

‘Community of Doonies’ – We would like the people of Aberdeen to help us raise £10,000 to help match the pledge as a community. Each and every pound that supporters donate takes us ever closer to making the vision of Doonies a reality. All that we ask is you consider pledging what you can to save what we now have and help us to take this forward into a brighter future, for the animals and for you the community of Doonies.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by visiting our website www.dooniesfarm.co.uk and clicking on the donate button.  Alternatively just bring down your donations to the farm; we look forward to seeing you there.

In anticipation of your kindness, we, the Friends of Doonies and the animals of Doonies say thank you.

11 March 2009

Cash donations urgently required

We are urgently seeking donations to help meet outstanding costs and enable us to keep the farm open.

We can then move on to raise funds for further improvements on the site to really move things forward for 2009.

Can you help?

We have a Paypal account set up to receive donations here. Cheques can also be accepted. Or visit the farm and hand in your donation.

The farm address is:

Doonies Farm
Nigg
Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire
AB12 3LT
UK

Telephone: 01224 875879

Or use our contact form to send us an email.

Dear Doonies Supporters

This will be the first newsletter on behalf of Friends of Doonies!

It’s been an eventful 9 months since we took over the running of Doonies from Aberdeen City Council in May 2008.

We have had three late Whiteface Woodland lambs and six Tamworth piglets born in September and a competition to name the Eriskay foal and a Nativity scene.

A lot of fundraising has been done and is still ongoing! A collection was held at The Mall on Union Street, a dinner dance and ceilidh were held in October/November, Christmas Fayres were attended through December, a Burns Supper in January and calendars have been sold/still being sold. The pictures for the calendar were taken by our very own Ewen Robertson who works at Doonies.

Forthcoming events

We have been invited to Aberdeen Football Club on the 7th February to do a collection at their match against East Fife in the Scottish Cup.

Valentine’s Day is coming up and a Ceilidh has been organised for the 14th and is being held at the Cove Rangers Football Club. Tickets can be bought on the night.

Easter this year falls on 12 April and we are holding an Easter Eggstravaganza! Everybody is welcome to come roll their Easter eggs, prizes will be given for best decorated egg. The lambs should have started arriving, along with some calves and chicks from our new incubator!

Donations

A few donations have been received from local groups. The Scouts did a sponsored walk, the Cove Gala donated money towards buying the incubator and Loirston Primary school children did a collection instead of sending Christmas cards to their friends.

A few larger donations were made by a couple of oil companies.

Many thanks to all who made these donations!