A public meeting has been organised by the Trustees at Johnshaven Village Hall on Tuesday, June 24, at 7.30pm.

Members and friends of Mill of Benholm and the public at large are asked to attend - to help the board extend their expertise, to raise the necessary funds involved, expand the current volunteer base and provide input to the business plan for financial stability.

Chairman Ranjit Fernandez, explained: “A number of health and safety issues were identified around the Mill site and in the tearoom and kitchen. These concerns were raised with the site owner, Aberdeenshire Council, which is responsible for maintaining the site (buildings and grounds). Aberdeenshire Council initially decided to temporarily suspend operations in the kitchen and tearoom, and requested that we close the tearoom and reallocate trainees to other activities on site.

“Following further discussions regarding the nature of the health and safety issues identified on site, Aberdeenshire Council decided, with the agreement of the Board of Trustees, to temporarily suspend all trainee activities on site until a decision can be made by senior officials in Aberdeenshire Council as to how they will resolve the various concerns raised.”

A project officer from the Council is also meeting with the trustees to agree the way forward.