Policy on future of schools wrong

I am a parent of four children, three of whom attend our local school, Lydbury North. My fourth is due to start in January 2010.

The council is still to go ahead and "amalgamate" Lydbury North with Clunbury, this actually means for us closure of the village school which has been open for 340 years.

I chose to move to Lydbury so my children could walk to school.

I do not want to put my son on a bus with the other 40 children from the village to travel the five miles to school every day. I want to be able to take him and settle him.

This policy is so wrong.

The only person who has taken the time to visit our school is Nigel Hartin. Why have no staff from Shropshire County Council been to see our schools? How can they make a decision based on figures, which according to our numbers are all wrong.

In five years' time there will be a one pupil difference in numbers. Where is the big fall in numbers? This is going to damage the number of potential children attending Lydbury North school.

If it's faced with closure as it is, children are not going to come, just to settle and then be moved. The fight still goes on for all schools facing this.

Lydbury North opens its doors to the community approximately every six weeks. Many of the villagers come and see what the children have been doing and have tea and cakes - it is the heart of our community.

I went to Meole Brace school as a child, the only time my parents came to school were twice a year at sports days and parents evenings. I do not want the same for my children. I want to actively support and encourage them.

I cannot do this if they move schools, I can't even see what they are doing, as they will be going on a bus. Save our schools!

L Abberley, Lydbury North