PARENTS battling to stop a Moray school being axed are pinning their hopes on people power.
The Save Milne’s High group has organised a mass rally to send a message to councillors – and have already won the backing of the region’s MSP.
Richard Lochhead – who is also the Scottish Government’s Rural Affairs Secretary – has vowed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with campaigners.
And those taking part in the event on October 26 are being urged to wear the Milne’s High school colours as a mark of solidarity.
They will walk from Fochabers and Mosstodloch to the old Spey footbridge where organisers will hang a rope covered with yellow and green ribbons.
The rally has been planned in the wake of the announcement of the results of Moray Council’s sustainable education review.
Last year, the local authority contracted Caledonian Economics to carry out the review of all its schools after it emerged £70million would be needed to bring them up to scratch.
Under the consultants’ proposals, Milne’s High at Fochabers could be closed, with pupils moving to New Elgin High.
Dougie Potter, the chairman of the Save Milne’s High campaign, said last night: “It seems to have been overlooked that with the recent announcements from Moray Council proclaiming a population increase to over 100,000 that both the schools in Elgin are likely to be at capacity almost before the paint is dry on the new Elgin High School.
“This is acknowledged by many of the councillors and takes no account of any proposed migration of children from Milne’s High School.”
Mr Potter, whose two younger children Katie 10, and Rory 5, would both be due to study at the Fochabers secondary, added: “Within 15 years there will be a dual carriageway funded by the Scottish Government, from Aberdeen to Inverness running through the Fochabers-Lhanbryde area.
“All the communities within the Milne’s High catchment then become highly desirable commuter towns.”
Fellow campaign member, Lisa Farley, said they hoped the rally would attract a big crowd.
She said: “The recommendations following the delivery of the SER has strengthened the resolve within the Fochabers, Mosstodloch and Lhanbryde communities to oppose the closure of Milne’s High School.
“Early indications show strong support for the rally, on Sunday 26th at 1pm and that it will be a well attended event.
“Our aim is to send a very strong message to our councillors to listen to the weight of public opinion.”
Mr Lochhead said: “I have been invited by the campaign to address the community and it’s my intention to be there alongside my constituents to support their right to have their voice heard loud and clear.
“No one can fail to be impressed by the campaign being conducted in such a dignified manner by the local community.
“This initiative is the latest imaginative demonstration of local concern. It is no wonder there is such strength of feeling given the issues at stake in relation to the future of education, our local schools and wider community.”
The meeting places for the march, which will start at 1pm, are Fochabers Cricket Club and Mosstodloch Scout Hall and protestors can congregate at the most convenient meeting point.
The council is due to debate the findings of the sustainable education review a week later, on Monday, November 3.