Don’t rip the heart out of rural communities

Sir, – Our Angus councillors are to be congratulated for rejecting the ill-founded and deeply unpopular decision by officials to close Stracathro School.

The proposed closure was not based on financial concerns we were told, but on the disadvantages the pupils suffer by going to Stracathro.

Judging by the 100% support for keeping the school open by present and past parents, and by the excellent record of former pupils, this reason seems flimsy.

To have closed the school would have ripped out the heart of a strong rural community. This was never considered by the decision makers, and it reinforces the perception that there is a clear preference for centralisation among many employed by Angus Council. This can be shown by the irrational reorganisation of the recycling provisions in Angus and by the presumption against housing, even affordable, in rural areas.

More than a quarter of the residents in Angus live in the countryside (40% if small rural towns are included), and it is time their interests are also recognised. Rural areas in Angus face unprecedented threats (and opportunities) through Brexit and we all need to work together to ensure that rural communities are not disadvantaged. We must encourage development, and ensure there is a sufficiency of affordable houses to achieve this. There has to be a change of attitude by officials, and the end to irrational decisions such as closing thriving country schools. Hughie Campbell Adamson. Millden of Stracathro, Brechin.

Picture: Paul Reid. Pupils and parents celebrate the news that Stracathro Primary School is to stay open.