AN action group campaigning to save Llanover Primary School has collected well over 2,000 signatures for a petition against its proposed closure. The Save Llanover School Action Group set up the petition in February shortly after the school was recommended for closure as part of phase two of Monmouthshire County Council's Strategic Review of Primary Education. Signatures were collected by the group in Abergavenny, Llanover Village Hall, the Goose and Cuckoo Pub and at various events which members organised. It reads, "We the undersigned request that Monmouthshire County Council withdraw their proposals to close Llanover Primary School. "The school should remain open to serve the community and future generations of children." Pupils from the school decorated the petition with their hand prints and members of the Action Group and school governors presented it to Llanover's County Councillor Brian Hood ahead of a debate by Monmouthshire County Council on May 11 and the Cabinet's decision on May 18. Chris Edmondson, Chairman of the Save the Llanover School Action Group, said, "To collect such a sizeable amount of signatures illustrates the widespread support that the group has and this is marvellous. "In England there's a presumption against the closure of village schools. "They have recognised their value to community life and the quality of the education they can provide. "Many of the comments received from people whilst we collected signatures endorsed this view and want to thank everyone for their goodwill and support." She added, "We hope that the Cabinet members will take this strength of feeling into account when they make the final decisions regarding the school." •Pictured are pupils and governors of Llanover Primary School, members of the Save Llanover School Action Group, Councillor Brian Hood and David Davies AM and recently elected MP with the petition.
