Stoney Middleton Parish Council congratulates and thanks Stoney Middleton School

11.00.00am GMT Wed 16th May 2007

Stoney Middleton Parish Council toast the success of the School Campaign

Stoney Middleton Parish Council at their meeting on Monday toasted the success of the village in saving the school. Cllr David Thorpe - vice chair and our longest serving councillor - proposed a motion, which was unanimously, carried that:-

"The Parish Council would like to congratulate the children of the village school, governors, action committee, parents, friends and the whole village on its success in saving the school for the village."

Cllr Jennifer Bettney - Chair - ran out of time listing all the people who had helped in the magnificent effort from the youngest who will start school in September to Dorothy McGowan, probably our oldest "Old Girl" who was photographed supporting the Christmas Fair! Dorothy's son Ian has phoned this morning to congratulate his old school after he heard Peter Hobson -Chair governors speaking on Radio Sheffield in Sydney Australia!!

Our thanks go to the whole village and everyone who supported the school. Peter Hobson as Chair of Governors and the acting Head, Sue Fitzpatrick supported by other teachers and governors have kept the school going and even introduced new courses while the battle raged.

A team of parents, children and friends organised a magnificent display of posters, which kept appearing throughout the village despite the efforts of the County Council to remove "illegal" posters from the lamp posts.

Richard Jones has used his analytical and presentational skills to prepare and present a detailed report to the County Council. He also gave an exceptional presentation to the Schools Organisation Committee.

Our particular thanks as a council go to all the members of the village who attended the first public meeting and then surprised the County Council by producing 9000 letters in about a week. Many attended, the cabinet meeting and full council and then turned out in force to the consultation meeting called by Councillor Charles in November. When this did not deter him they wrote the letters all over again and then attended the Schools Organisation Committee at County Hall and cheered when the result was announced. The village turned up in even greater numbers when the Schools Adjudicator, June Brown, called a meeting in April. Many ex-pupils attended and spoke passionately about their time at the school. There is no doubt that this determined and concerted effort won the day

On the political front our thanks go to Patrick McLoughlin MP who raised the matter in Parliament. To County Councillor, Nigel Allwood, who told Cllr Alan Charles he had a fight on his hands and then by his encouragement at the initial public meeting made sure that he did. To District Councillor Cate Hunt, who supported us throughout and walked the route from Stoney to Curbar and back. Other County and District Councillors and members of the clergy have earned our appreciation by turning up in all sorts of foul weather to walk the dangerous route from Stoney to Curbar.

Our thanks go to the Friends, Parents and Teachers Association who have continued to fund raise throughout so that money would have been available if we had needed to continue the campaign.

Finally we would like to thank the media and particularly the Matlock Mercury for their in depth coverage and support throughout the campaign.