Valentines Protest Against ‘Heartless’ Decision To Knock Groves Down

Campaigners fighting to save the Groves school building from demolition held a valentines protest this morning, with hearts being tied to railings outside the school.

The original decision to knock down the building by the 10-strong executive board has been condemned as ‘heartless’ by campaigners, who feel the historic Art Deco building should be preserved for future use as a school or arts hub.

Elaine Guntrip-Thomas, who chairs the Save our Heritage campaign group, said of today’s protest: “It was heartening to see another good turnout at our protest this morning. We put hearts and roses around the school railings on Valentine’s weekend to remind the council that some things are more valuable than they might appear.

“We will meet as a campaign group tomorrow (Sunday) morning at 11am in Saith Seren to discuss our options and how we maintain the fight against the council’s decision. It’s far from over and support for the campaign is growing as people become aware of the executive board’s decision.”

The protesters also put up a “No demolition” sign in front of the building, along with a recovered banner that was previously removed by Wrexham Council.

Cllr Carrie Harper added: “There are still many unanswered questions that we feel the executive board and council leader should answer before they go any further. We also need to have sight of the covenant that restricts development on the site before any demolition takes place.

“The passion people feel for retaining this building is part of a wider concern that our heritage is being destroyed, that our town isn’t best served by this administration and that we need them to listen more carefully. Not only is it heartless, it also gives the impression of being brainless and clueless as it makes decisions without consultation.”

When Wrexham.com passed the protest earlier today several other vehicles were sounding horns in support and waving at the protestors.

Local AM Lesley Griffiths was also taking part in the protest, and tweeted us this picture of ‘hearts and roses’ being tied to the railings:

Hearts and roses at The Groves demonstration today @LeaderBerry @wrexham #Wrexham pic.twitter.com/3qiI4Vn5uS

— Lesley Griffiths (@lesley4wrexham) February 13, 2016