Liberal Democrat County Councillor Nigel Allwood congratulates Stoney Middleton School

Written by Richard Wooley and published in Matlock Mercury on Thu 17th May 2007

Action group turned the tide

The Save Stoney School action group is being praised for its efforts, with one councillor saying: "In my opinion they have saved the school."

County councillor for the area Nigel Allwood has congratulated the monumental effort shown by the villagers after learning the school was earmarked for closure.

"It's a great example of people power," he said.

The group's efforts have helped to lobby public support, which in turn produced over 9,000 letters of support and even a protest march.

And their presentation of the school's case to a committee helped to get the decision referred to the adjudicator.

Acting headteacher Sue Fitzpatrick said: "I think the campaign has played an enormous part in this decision.

"The solidarity of the village was something I don't think the council was expecting.

"They have done a tremendous amount of research and put a very strong case forward."

Chair of governors Peter Hobson added: "We've had a tremendous amount of support from everyone and the campaign has been run so well.

"We managed to pick quite a few holes in the council's argument.

"I'd like to thank everyone in the village who helped, which is practically everyone, as well as people in surrounding villages."

The Friends of Stoney Middleton School website was set up in the early days of the campaign and has kept the whole community informed of what was going on where.

Within minutes of the news breaking that the school had been saved messages of congratulations were being posted.

Here are just a few of the comments you can follow the link on www.matlockmercury.co.uk (go to the community section) to see more.

West Derbyshire MP Patrick McLoughlin: "Very well done all of you."

Jeremy Lowe, ex pupil: "Well done! It proves that hard work and dedication gets results - I am sure it would have been closed with a whimper were it not for a superb campaign."

Liberal Democrat Matlock Town Cllrs Sue and Martin Burfoot: "What wonderful news, and a tribute to all the hours of work, meetings, demonstrations, etc, etc, which you have all put into your justified refusal to accept the bureaucrats' simplistic verdict on YOUR school."

Archdeacon, David Garnett: "Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations - Please express my delight that the school is to remain open."

Tony Mason, Stoney Middleton resident: "Well done and it just shows when people stick together what can be done."

Related Links:

The full story with Photos.

Stoney Middleton website - with more news.