'We mean business' say campaigners over Shropshire library and museum cuts
Campaigners behind two 1,000-signature petitions over library and museum cuts say they have shown councillors they mean business.
No decisions were made at a full Shropshire Council meeting over the future of Church Stretton Library or Ludlow Museum Resource Centre but campaigners today spoke of their satisfaction that councillors had at least been made aware of the strength of feeling against the plans.
A 1,100-signature petition from Church Stretton Library Support Group, fighting proposals for the library to move out of its town centre home to be run at Church Stretton School instead, was presented by Hazel Whitehouse.
She was accompanied to Shirehall by 20 fellow campaigners, including Felicity Thomas, who said: "We are delighted that we had the opportunity to take our arguments to the most important democratic decision making body in Shropshire.
"Councillors now have no excuse whatsoever for not understanding the case for retention and have been left in no doubt that a decision to rip the library out of the heart of our community will not be tolerated or forgotten by the vast majority of residents and voters who support retention."
However, at the meeting Councillor Barrow said campaigners needed a "reality check", as moving the library "800 yards" to the school would save it from closure. It was a comment Bishop's Castle councillor Charlotte Barnes took umbrage with.
Speaking after the meeting she said: "He should put himself back in touch with communities. This is something no-one in Church Stretton wants."
She also supported the 1,000-signature petition against plans to axe three members of staff at Ludlow Museum Resource Centre.
