Hear All Sides

WRITING as a parent, rather than parish councillor or school governor, I wish to add my perspective to Hurworth School chief executive Eamonn Farrar's discussions with Hurworth Parish Council (Echo, July 12).

Mr Farrar was asking if the parish council would be prepared to enter into initial discussion on forming a partnership between the primary and secondary schools and parish to look at all options that may be available to improve educational and community facilities in the village.

It was reiterated many times that there was no grand plan or done-deal in place, and that if a proposal to include the community centre was the outcome of any discussions, it could only move forward with community support. In practice, this would mean a public meeting and, no doubt, a parish referendum.

We cannot afford to do nothing if we are to be sure of our schools' long-term futures. Inaction would only lead to an inevitable decline in the various facilities and leave them vulnerable to any change in Darlington's demographics.

Regardless of whether the parish decides to engage with the schools, a public meeting would allow the wider community to be made aware of the investment needed and the options available to deliver these much-needed funds. - Ian Holme, Hurworth.