A RADNORSHIRE school that was closed more than 150 years ago could come to the aid of a current school fighting for its future – after the owner said he would donate proceeds from its sale following a council decision to shut it.

Jake Berriman’s Cross Cottage property – an old schoolhouse based in the tiny rural community of Abbeycwmhir – is on the market for £380,000. The Llandrindod Wells county councillor said he was “left stunned” by Powys County Council’s decision last week to close Llanfihangel Rhydithon Primary School, based in the neighbouring Radnorshire community of Dolau. The local authority’s cabinet decided to issue a formal statutory notice at a meeting on Tuesday, September 28, which has left local residents, parents and hoards of school supporters seething.

It is expected the school will close on August 31, with the decision to shut the doors and send pupils elsewhere in Powys believed to be saving the council £59,000 a year.

And while any sale of Councillor Berriman’s property is unlikely to raise that kind of figure for the school, his warm gesture will be gratefully received by supporters who have been fighting valiantly to prevent the closure.

“Just over a week ago I put Cross Cottage, a property I have owned and loved for 30 years, on the market,” said Cllr Berriman, posting on his Facebook page on Sunday, October 3.

County Times: Cross Cottage is on the market for £380,000

“This former school and schoolhouse was opened and closed again over 150 years ago, not on that occasion by the local authority, but at the whim of the lady of the manor who found the noise of the children playing tiresome.

“Cross Cottage, situated between the pub and church, is at the centre of this beautiful village and heart of the thriving and vibrant community of Abbeycwmhir.

“The events of last week, with the Conservative/Independent cabinet of Powys County Council deciding to press on with the closure of Dolau school, left me stunned. It was my view, and that of the scrutiny committee, that this decision was premature and that more work was needed to pursue options around federation and moving the school along the Welsh language continuum to deliver the council’s brand new strategy.

“Dolau school is, itself, at the heart of its own thriving and vibrant community which has rallied round and is determined to fight on to save their high performing, and much-loved village school.”

Cross Cottage, a detached four-bedroom property in the tiny village, near Llandrindod, is for sale on Right Move, attracting “offers over” £380,000.

“As a show of my love and appreciation of Radnorshire village life and the strong sense of identity and community it offers, and as a practical offer of support to the Dolau campaign, I am proposing to give them 30 per cent (one for each year of ownership-after the government has had its share) of the proceeds of the sale of Cross Cottage, over and above the advertised guide price,” added Cllr Berriman.

“Now, house price inflation isn’t of itself a good thing but, in this instance, it could directly benefit a community courageously fighting for its survival.

“So, if you know of someone who might want to move to Abbeycwmhir, to become part of this lovely village, then point them to Right Move as, with a bit of luck, you could just be helping Dolau school too.”

Supporters of and people connected with the school have praised Cllr Berriman for his kind gesture.

The school posted on its Facebook page: “Wow – what a wonderfully generous thing to do. Diolch yn fawr iawn.”

Commenting on the status by the Llandrindod North ward councillor, school supporter Kath Bufton said: “Thank you so much Jake Berriman for standing up for fair play.

“Your stance is formidable. You have given us back some faith in human nature.

“The fight for our school is a serious affair. This is our village, our community, our lives. We pay our rates, and these people are our public servants.

“How can a little more than a handful of them with no insight (or interest) into what really matters to the people in Dolau be allowed to make such unjust judgemental decisions without even getting their facts right or doing any homework? In so doing, taking away our right to choice.

County Times: Pupils at Llanfihangel Rhydithon Community Primary School in Dolau

“That's not quite what we are led to believe the word democracy means. Fair play is all we ask for, but we find ourselves being ignored and bulldozed over. Again.

“We will be heard. Whatever it takes. Dolau school deserves to stay.”

Dolau Community Hall posted on its Facebook page: “Such a lovely thing to do Councillor Jake Berriman, very much appreciated by everyone fighting to save Dolau school.”

Last week the authority's learning and skills committee recommended postponing a decision to go ahead with the next stage of the closure process, with an alternative idea proposed including federating with Llanelwedd Church in Wales Primary School, near Builth Wells, becoming a dual stream and eventually Welsh medium primary school or even a faith school.

But cabinet members opted to go ahead with the launch of a formal objection period, after which it will receive another report on those objections.