Well done everyone (From Barry And District News)

Well done everyone

11:14am Thursday 21st March 2013 in Letters

I WRITE to thank all the parents, governors, teachers and the wider community who secured the future of Oak Field, Llanfair and Llancarfan primary schools that were under threat of closure.

This is an excellent example where people power won the day.

So many gave up their time to attend meetings, to plan campaigns, to research data, to protest or simply to offer support.

Having visited all schools on more than one occasion and spoken to many during the campaign, I was so impressed with the commitment and determination shown by all.

I am particularly pleased that each campaign chose to support that of the other schools.

It would have been so easy to believe that closure of another would give their own school a better chance of survival. This is such an important lesson.

It is also important to recognise the key part that the Barry & District News played in communicating concerns in a balanced manner and by updating readers on the changing position of the Vale council.

After such a stunning outcome, we need to gain formal reasons why closure plans were not progressed.

These could be critical in case we find ourselves in a threatened position in the future.

Such reasons will be the starting point of our defence.

Thank you and congratulations to all involved. Alun Cairns MP