Friends of Ellon Cemetery group gets under way with the appointment of a committee

A public meeting this week has resulted in the forming of a Friends of Ellon Cemetery volunteer group.

The second meeting held last Tuesday at the Ellon Primary School headed up by councillor Gillian Owen was the councillor said: "a roaring success".

Local taking part include Robert McGregor who took on the role as chairman and Bill Gibb became treasurer.

Linda Henderson and Elaine Christie volunteered to be committee members while Bruce Robertson volunteered to create a website and a Facebook page.

Those attending the meeting heard from Friends of Turriff Cemetery's Morag Lightning who was on hand to give advice on how the Turriff group began, how it has progressed and contacts and funding sources that they found useful.

Aberdeenshire Counicil's Andrew McIntyre from Landscape Services brought along some maps of the existing cemetery and the new cemetery to lead discussions.

Councillor Owen told the Advertiser: "Andrew McIntyre also confirmed there would be some budget available, in the next financial year to help the group as they identify what will be required.

"There was a good discussion about what could be done and which areas were potential projects for the group to look at."

A site visit at the existing cemetery has been arranged for Sunday, February 23 at 1pm with all welcome.

Anybody who would like to volunteer as part of the new group should contact councillor Gillian Owen at: cllr.g.owen@aberdeenshire.gov.uk to be added to the list of interested volunteers.

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