Fight to save Gartsherrie Primary gathers pace

Nov 25 2009 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Angry parents’ school fight gains pace

PARENTS fighting to save Gartsherrie Primary have collected 4000 signatures opposing council plans to close the school.

Now they are preparing to take on education officials when a public meeting to debate the proposal is held on Monday night.

Furious mums garnered support from shoppers and fellow parents by taking their campaign to Main Street and Faraday retail park in Coatbridge last weekend, and have erected protest banners near the Gartsherrie Road school.

They have also e-mailed their objections to numerous MSPs, including Coatbridge and Chryston representative Elaine Smith, Central Scotland list members and Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister and deputy.

PTA member Audrey McFarlane, who has a son in P1, said: “People signing our petition were disgusted by the plans and the public feeling is that Labour is in for a shock at next year’s election.

“We’re trying to raise awareness because people feel that if this happens to Gartsherrie, then where will be next? It could be a matter of time before other schools are closed or amalgamated.

“Some people seem to think that we want Townhead Primary to be closed – nothing could be further from the truth and we want that rumour stopped, especially as their pupils will be affected by this too as the proposal is that’s where our children should go.

“The campaign is really growing – we’ve had so much support from local businesses and can’t thank them enough, and when the council said that our banner had to be removed from the school railings as it was too political, the Gartsherrie Club said they were more than happy to put it up.

“Martin McWilliams, the independent councillor, has offered amazing support to us but we’ve been told that Labour councillors won’t be backing us in any way.

“Closing a school is a terrible blow, especially one that’s doing so well, but we’re being told this is done and dusted – where’s the consultation in that?”

The parents are now preparing to put their protests directly to North Lanarkshire Council representatives at Monday’s meeting, and Audrey added: “We’ll be ready and won’t be told to go away. It’s amazing to see how the community has pulled together.”