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School campaigners urge people to show support with action not words
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Bridport's Mountjoy School are urging people to support their call for action not words'.
They say it's make or break time' in the
long-fought battle to build a replacement special school.
The Friends of Mountjoy say the scheme has been talked about for years - but they fear they may be facing one stumbling block too many.
Chairman Frank Wilde believes the latest delay as the Environment Agency and county council discuss flood risks on the proposed new site could be the final straw.
Now he is urging supporters to attend the Friends of Mountjoy annual general meeting at the school next Tuesday, April 22, at 7pm.
He wants to see a large turnout so that the powers-that-be get the message about just how much the local community cares.
When the school was threatened with closure in 1999, townsfolk protested angrily against it
merging with Wyvern School at Weymouth.
A highly-charged public meeting at St Mary's Church was attended by more than 400 people calling on the county council officials to have a change of heart.
Some 11,000 signed a petition demanding that the school should remain open.
Since then, the school has had a reprieve and a new building was set to go up on land behind the social and education centre in Flood Lane.
However, a series of delays has led to frustration among parents and supporters, who believe the county council has a hidden agenda.
Mr Wilde said this week: "Is the flood site issue there just to muddy the waters? The AGM next week is the most important meeting for years. We want to know is the school going to be built?
"Why won't Dorset County Council tell us what is happening? Have they something to hide?
"We know that local people are concerned we have had no answers and we would welcome their support at our AGM next week."
10:17am Thursday 17th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Jerry Butcher, Ontario, Canada on 11:30pm Thu 15 May 08
I am a frequent contributor regarding Mountjoy School and am a firm believer in what the dedicated staff at the school are achieving everyday.
The latest contrivance of the authorities to have a flood survey completed on the site, by a private company, at great expense to the community is far above rediculous.
The street on which the school stands is called "Flood Lane" - that MUST tell the most ill-informed something.
It's probably even mentioned in the "Dooms Day Book" as an area subject to flooding, beause it has been so since then.
If there is actually a problem with building on a flood plain and objections can be raised by the various levels of local government, why were those same objects not raised at the time planning permission was sought by Fry's builder for their development, on the same flood plan on West Bay Road.
Is the public in the area so naive that they don't think there is a problem in the Planning Department.
Frank Wilde and his associates should be asking these same questions and not backing off until they received definitive answers.
The cost of this pointless "Flooding" survey could well have been allocated to some equipment for those in "Special Need".
I am a frequent contributor regarding Mountjoy School and am a firm believer in what the dedicated staff at the school are achieving everyday.
The latest contrivance of the authorities to have a flood survey completed on the site, by a private company, at great expense to the community is far above rediculous.
The street on which the school stands is called "Flood Lane" - that MUST tell the most ill-informed something.
It's probably even mentioned in the "Dooms Day Book" as an area subject to flooding, beause it has been so since then.
If there is actually a problem with building on a flood plain and objections can be raised by the various levels of local government, why were those same objects not raised at the time planning permission was sought by Fry's builder for their development, on the same flood plan on West Bay Road.
Is the public in the area so naive that they don't think there is a problem in the Planning Department.
Frank Wilde and his associates should be asking these same questions and not backing off until they received definitive answers.
The cost of this pointless "Flooding" survey could well have been allocated to some equipment for those in "Special Need".
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