Various correspondents, culminating in David Holt’s (County Times, December 24) disturbing plea from Machynlleth and Brecon County Councillor, Iain McIntosh’s resignation over a possible Cradoc school closure, reveal widespread unease over Powys’s schools’ policy.
Churchstoke school is reprieved – quite rightly. Reports have been made and withdrawn. What is going on?
How about a moratorium on school closures for, say, three years? The rural landscape post -Covid is unclear. Let’s wait and see.
Many will continue to leave Powys for work and study to be replaced by incomers, with few primary schoolchildren. With a better settlement than usual, from the Welsh government – almost 10 per cent – is cost cutting in primary education so vital?
Closing a school has a permanent effect on not just parents, children and current staff, but on a village community, for ever.
Without pub, post office, school and church, what is a village but a cluster of houses and small farms? The latter, always under threat of subsidy changes and government directives. Caravan parks apart, Powys could empty.
As a past primary and secondary school governor in rural Worcestershire, I have seen such abandonment. My native quaintly-named village, Bliss Gate, lost its school, butcher’s shop, post office, mission/meeting room, shop and pub bin that order.
My three brothers and I never go back – nor do my children.
Meanwhile, why not get involved as a parent, grandparent or friend, with your local school – lobby your County Councillor too.
Use it or lose it – your choice, but the most of our 70 primary schools are at the heart of Powys village life, greatly enhancing each community and making the county such a special place in which to live.
Bruce Lawson FCA
Montgomery
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