Sights set on closed schools (thisisammanford.co.uk)

Sights set on closed schools
From the archive, first published Wednesday 1st Jun 2005.

TRAP villagers want to keep their school's premises within the community, if the proposed closure goes ahead. Councillors at Carmarthenshire Council met yesterday (Tuesday) and decided to start consultation for the closure of Trap and Cwmgwili schools.

As there is no demand for places at Trap School in the next academic year, councillors agreed to issue a statutory notice for its closure.

Villagers, who campaigned to keep their school open, are keen to retain its premises for community use.

Resident John Hastings said: "We had a public meeting and decided to elect a small committee to discuss the possibilities of using the school for community purposes, but we are still in the early stages."

Landlord of the Cennen Arms Mike Davies told the Guardian that villagers did not want to see the school demolished by a private company for new homes.

He said: "The local community is hoping to take it over to use for meetings such as the Trap Show Committee."

At yesterday's meeting, falling pupil numbers were also raised as a concern at Cwmgwili School, where only ten pupils are likely to attend from December.

Cwmgwili pupils are likely to be considered as part of provision for children in Cross Hands and Saron.

A new school will also replace Cefnbrynbrain and Ystradowen schools.

The council is also considering the reorganisation of Ammanford primary schools. Plans include bringing Ammanford Infants and Junior schools under the leadership of a single headteacher.