Llanbedr to LLandod, Community Cycles to save its school

Last Saturday, a group of parents and supporters cycled the 40 miles from Llanbedr Church in Wales School to County Hall in Llandrindod Wells to deliver letters and a petition of objection to the proposed closure of Llanbedr Church in Wales Primary School.

The cyclists made it all the way and were supported on the start and finish by pupils from the school cycling alongside them. The event also raised over £2500 to support the school in its fight to stay open.

The cyclists also gathered the support of local politicians en route, meeting with Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Senedd member for Mid and West Wales Jane Dodds, local County Councillor John Morris and other County Councillors from Powys.

Jane Dodds commented: “This closure proposal must be stopped and I urge everyone to write to the Education Portfolio holder Phyl Davies to tell him so, but they should not stop there they should also write to Senedd Member James Evans and local MP Fay Jones and urge them to use their influence with their Conservative colleagues on Powys County Council cabinet to dismiss this proposal.”

Cllr John Morris commented: “Llanbedr is a thriving school offering first-class education and support to its pupils. I do not recognise the statements in the proposal document as being the truth. The timing of this proposal shows a complete lack of understanding of what parents’ pupils and teachers have gone through during Covid 19. It is also ridiculous that Powys County Council is proposing closing this exceptional school when despite many requested PCC have not brought any plans forward in their Transformation Policy for the Crickhowell catchment area.”

Cllr Jackie Charlton also raised concerns on the potential knock-on-effect if the school closes stating: “Powys does not appear to be thinking strategically on the impact of feeder schools such as Llangattock Church in Wales Primary which is the closest Church in Wales school to Llanbedr.   There is a development in Glangrwyny with 72 new homes being built, the extra pressure on all primary schools has not been considered.  Llangattock does not have the capacity to accommodate Llanbedr pupils on closure let alone those children who will no doubt be moving to Glangrwyny from elsewhere."