South Wales Evening Post - 18 November 2005
Campaigners opposed to the opening of a new Welsh primary school in Swansea have been subjecting parents to a torrent of abuse, it has been alleged.
Mothers dropping their children off at Ysgol Granradd Gymraeg, Llwynderw's temporary site in Bishop Gore School, have been verbally abused by West Cross residents, they say. Parents say the authority has a duty to support them and their right to offer education in Welsh to their children.
A purpose-built Welsh medium school has been earmarked for West Cross House.
It has been promised by 2008 - three years later than originally promised.
But residents of West Cross are worried about a possible traffic increase at the site.
Ysgol Llwynderw parent Gareth Jones attacked the authority for its lack of support.
"Not one of our elected councillors has ever been to the school," he said.
"By the time the school opens, it will have been in a temporary location for six years.
"That was not the timetable when we decided to believe councillors and send our children there.
"My seven-year-old son comes to me and asks why English schools are getting swimming pools, football pitches and rugby pitches. It's not fair.
"Since the school opened, there have been just two press releases supporting it - and one of these was sent out three years ago.
"Throughout the negative publicity, there has been nothing from the council to defend the school and that is not right.
"Parents have been treated with aggression by other people - verbal abuse from residents accusing us of wanting to close schools.
"One person refused to sign a petition in West Cross about moving the school to the area and was subjected to a torrent of abuse.
"The council has to start promoting the school and ensuing its pupils are treated fairly.
"Having a Welsh medium school for my child is my statutory right - it shouldn't have to be a battle."
Councillor Mike Day, cabinet member for education, admitted more could be done to help promote the school.
"We want to avoid repeating what has happened with the temporary location, which has been far from ideal," he said.
"We are mindful of the fact that we need to support the school in its current unsatisfactory position.
He continues: "I am meeting with the governing body to go through various issues and we will look at ways the council can help."
