Bromyard says "no" to college closure

10:29pm Thursday 17th January 2008

"WE WILL WIN."

Those were the words of a thousand Bromyard residents this evening (Thursday), speaking in unison against plans to close Queen Elizabeth Humanities College.

A total of 1,126 people - roughly a quarter of the town - voted unanimously against proposals to end secondary education in Bromyard.

Packed into three halls, the public agreed to a motion set the night before by Bromyard Town Council: A vote of no confidence in council leader, Roger Phillips, Member for Children's Services, Jenny Hyde, and two senior LEA officers.

The motion also called for an immediate withdrawal of the plans that proposes the closure of the college, and the creation of a new secondary school at Minster.

The proposals - which involve the imalgamation, or closure of dozens of Herefordshire schools -come in light of falling pupil numbers and low government funding.

But for Bromyard parents - whose pupils would have to travel to Leominster if the plans are approved, the plan is full of flaws.

Taxi drivers, councillors, church members and business figures all spoke out in a rousing call to arms.

They were joined by former pupils, such as Nicola Ivison, 23, one of 280 people to sign a petition on social networking website, Facebook, opposing the closure.

"I think it's absolutely ludicrous," said Nicola.

"This school is a massive part of the community and would be a shame for the council to close it, not just for education but for the town in general."

Others urged caution, like the Mayor of Bromyard, Jonathan Lester. He told parents to keep sending their kids to QE, and not to look elsewhere upon hearing the gloomy news.

"We will not surrender to folly - we are capable of determining our own future and we will resist the senseless closure of our most valuable assists, and that's our children," said coun Lester.

"Rest assured, we will win."

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