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    • MRSAG March/Rally - Save Our Village Schools

    The Midlothian Rural Schools Action Group march and rally took place today (23 April) in Dalkeith to show the strength of feeling in our communities against Midlothian Council's primary school closures.

    Around 600 people supported the march from Dalkeith Country Park, through Dalkeith to Kings Park where we held a short rally. On the way, children from the schools stopped at Midlothian Council's offices and presented Sam Campbell, Provost, with decorated heart banners. Richard Lock, from MRSAG, also supplied the council with a copy of the petition recently presented to the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee.

    The Scotsman published an article on the march in the 24th April edition.

    Thanks go out to everyone who helped prepare and take part in the event.

    Fiona Hyslop, MSP for the Lothians, sent us the following letter:

    Please pass on my support for your march and rally today - I am sure you will be pleased to know the subject of rural school closures will be on the Parliament's Education Committee agenda this Wednesday morning . I can't be with you as I am in Aberdeen at an SNP special conference where Midlothian Constituency and I have presented a topical motion in support of your campaign which I hope may have the chance to be debated live in the televised coverage - the motion is as follows

    'SNP Conference recognises the vital community role that rural schools play in the sustainability of rural communities and sends a message of support to the Midlothian Rural Schools Action Group for their march and rally today Friday 23rd April in Dalkeith in defence of the 5 rural schools facing closure as part of the PPP proposals being pursued by Midlothian Council and extends its support to parents in the Borders who are also resisting 11 rural school closures and mergers which form part of Borders council schools PPP programme.

    Conference expresses its concern at the recent rapid increase in the number of proposed rural school closures across Scotland and calls on the Scottish Executive to immediately establish the principle of presumption against rural school closures and to publish the long awaited revised code of practice as a matter of urgency to ensure that any decisions are made on educational grounds and with examination of rural community sustainability and not simply on the financial gains to be made for the councils concerned.'

    Your demonstration today is an expression of people, parent and pupil power - what we need now from the Midlothian Council is a considered response to this vital education issue based on the 3 R's

    Respect , responsiveness and re-appraisal.

    Good luck and best wishes for a successful outcome for all the small communities of Midlothian.

    Fiona Hyslop SNP MSP for Lothians

    Colin Beattie, Midlothian SNP Spokesperson

    Colin sent us an email advising of the support shown at the SNP Spring Conference.

    Photos from the MRSAG march and rally:

    Photos from the event are available for download by clicking on them below. The media and press are free to use these as required. Higher quality images can be provided if required, please get in touch.

    See the results from the annual School Pigeon race here.
    The hearts created by the children to present to Sam Campbell.
    The march begins led by the pipers.
    Sam Campbell is presented with the hearts and petition.
    The supporters gather in Kings park for the rally.

    Back to campaign articles

    Last Updated : 30 March 2005