Village bid to buy old school (From Western Telegraph)

Village bid to buy old school

A community is battling to buy a former village school, axed by Pembrokeshire County Council after parents lost a bitter fight to retain it three years ago.

Bwlch-y-Groes School, a former MOD building which served as a school for nearly 50 years, is owned by the county council.

The authority is willing to sell it to the community in return for £45,000 - probably a quarter of its market value.

Raising the capital is an uphill struggle for the small community. It is £35,000 short of its target and knows the county council won't wait forever. A fundraising vintage show and fun day was held on Saturday and other events are planned.

Currently, the Welsh playgroup, Ysgol Feithrin, meets at the former school and other organisations congregate there, including a WI and book group.

Farmer Gaynor Evans, who is involved in the campaign to buy the building, regards it as a focal point to a community that has no public hall.

"People living in rural areas can feel very isolated, it is important that we have somewhere where people can meet,'' said Mrs Evans.

Bwlch-y-Groes School closed in 2000 and its pupil roll of over 30 children are bussed to Tegryn School - known as Clydai School.

That closure has had a major impact on the community, as Gaynor Evans explained: "The school brought the community together. That has now gone.''