Threat to schools is a disaster

Regarding the threat to our primary schools. As a parent and a local parish councillor, I am aghast at the way this has been broached.

I understand that at no time was the Diocese of Hereford consulted before the announcement about this, even though they are "partners" with the local authority in 40 of these schools.

How can it be that a few years ago there was a report that stated there was no economic case for closing schools because of the additional costs of developing other schools, staff redundancies, and transporting the children?

If the school was to close, the village shop would probably die. The church is used by the school so that would suffer.

We moved to Lydbury North because of the good reputation of the school and would hate to think this lively village could become a pensioner enclave and a second home ghetto.

For the saving of £1.3m, which is 0.3 per cent of the total budget, this idea is foolish. Accountants must be able to sort out so small a shortfall.

Bamber Hawes, Lydbury North