United protest to save threatened school

Oct 6 2008 by Gemma Castle, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

UNITED PROTEST TO SAVE CASTLE HALL

“WE need to stop this closure for the future of Mirfield.”

That was the message from angry parents opposing the controversial plans by Kirklees Council to shut down Castle Hall Secondary School.

Hundreds of parents, children and residents in Mirfield wrapped up warm on Saturday morning and staged a protest on the playing fields at the school in a bid to stop the closure from going ahead.

Campaign manager and organiser of the protest Karen Rowling took to the stage to warm up the crowd before introducing former pupil and Real Radio and weather presenter Debbie Lindley.

She said: “As far as I am concerned it is just not an option to shut down this school. There is just no logical explanation for it. I grew up in Mirfield and went to this school, and without it I wouldn’t be where I am today, so along with all these people I am going to do whatever I can to make sure it stays open.”