SUPPORTERS of Abergavenny Livestock Market are expected to flock to the town next week as they take part in a demonstration opposing its closure.

The demonstration comes as it is revealed that more than 4,000 people have already signed a petition by pressure group KALM - Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market opposing the move of the livestock market to Bryngwyn near Raglan to make way for an Asda store.

Refuting the suggestion made in The Abergavenny Chronicle by Monmouthshire County Council's regeneration chief, Councillor Bob Greenland that people have been intimidated into signing letters and the petition, KALM co-ordinator Jenny Long said it would be a mistake to dismiss the 'groundswell of support' for the campaign.

"It would be a mistake, in any event, for MCC's regeneration committee to dismiss the massive groundswell of opinion arising in support of Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market, a clumsy attempt at intimidation in itself which few have taken seriously.

"For most, Councillor Greenland's article indicated signs of a man on the defensive; his claims without substance."

Ms Long says that the Abergavenny livestock market continues to run smoothly despite occupying only half the available site and sharing it with Newport cattle market on a Wednesday.

She said, "Everyone recognises the whole area has been allowed to become run-down during the past six years. Cynics would argue this has been deliberate in order to add weight to the MCC determination to sell the yard.

"Had the ideas for 'regeneration' been transparently presented six, or even two, years ago, with choices clearly outlined, the whole sorry saga may have been settled some time ago.

As it is, Monmouthshire County Council has met with nothing but resistance from the outset, which should have told them ages ago how flawed their whole concepts have been. However, whether or not the livestock market site could or should be sold was never put to the test. Rather it was packaged together with redevelopment of the site for a retail park and the building of a regional livestock market at Raglan.

"It is understandable, therefore, that the farmers, for their part,  believed they had little choice but support a regional market two years ago. By the same token the opponents of Asda took as their premise, the inevitable and unchallenged sale of the livestock market believing it was what the livestock market users really wanted.

 "In reality the farmers were not given the choice and understood they didn't have one. Hence, when they realised they could still keep the livestock market in Abergavenny by fighting the repeal of the Abergavenny Act, they re-grouped their energy in support of KALM."

All KALM supporters believe the livestock market is crucial to the integrity and economic survival Abergavenny  as a whole with many believing the cattle market could be a flagship for the industry and a bastion alongside the small number of rural livestock markets which have resisted the tide of the regional models.

Ms Long added, "Tradition seems to be an unpopular and overly sentimental word in the context of the sweeping changes MCC envisage for Abergavenny. However, this is a word which has best encapsulated the marketing of the town for the last 20 years, 'Market Town and Gateway to the Black Mountains'. We will have to rethink this if MCC get their way.

"Councillor Greenland often refers to KALM and Friends of the Earth as one and the same.

"KALM welcome all support, wherever it comes from and from whatever political persuasion.

"People who come from this much respected organisation, though few, are welcome for their energy and commitment. They want what we all want, a market town to be proud of, intact.

"We must however, ask them to tuck their horns and forked tails away in public."

The march on April 25 will see supporters gather at the livestock market at 11.30am and make their way through the town demonstrating against the move.

Jenny said, "If you want to show your support and what to keep Abergavenny livestock market open this is the single most important thing you can do, support the demonstration."