News

Angry villagers cancel their Christmas turkeys

CUSTOMERS are cancelling their turkey orders in protest over their local councillor voting to close the village school at Aberdyfi.

The local county councillor Dewi Owen voted to close the village school last week despite campaigning for months to save Ysgol Aberdyfi and entering the council chambers with an 800-name petition against the closure in his hand.

Cllr Owen, an Independent, defended his vote this week, saying it was tactical as he thought Ysgol Pennal, which is also in his area, stood a better chance of being saved.

There was an immediate backlash from residents, who reacted by cancelling Christmas turkey orders at the village butcher’s shop, which is run by Cllr Owen’s son-in-law.

Gillian Williams, a parent in the area who sat in the voting chamber during the meeting, said residents in the village were angry at the voting decision made by Cllr Owen.

“I am absolutely disgusted and furious with Dewi. What he’s done is completely wrong and hypocritical,” she said.

• Pictured: top, Cllr Dewi Owen; right, Ysgol Aberdyfi pupils protesting in Caernarfon last week
• See full story in this week's Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News