Petition against Mudeford Wood Pre-school to leave community centre reaches 1,500 signatures
A PETITION launched in a bid to keep a Christchurch pre-school at its home of 37 years has gathered nearly 1,500 signatures - with the parent behind it warning “the heart will be ripped out of the community” if the group is forced to leave.
Alex Kyrillou, from Christchurch, said he was shocked to hear Mudeford Wood Pre-School had been given its marching orders from Mudeford Community Centre by the trust who run the building in a row over health and safety.
He said: “The preschool has always felt like a cornerstone of the community, providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children and offering support to their families.
“My eldest son, who is now 16, went there. After we lost our baby son in 2019, Mudeford Wood was the only pre-school we felt had the right environment, with people we could trust, for our other son. He’s now three and loves it there.
“I just think the decision to order it to leave, and the basis it has been taken on, is ludicrous.”
Alex’s petition has received nearly 1,500 signatures in less than a week. He says the trust should “think again” about its decision.
The trust claims the pre-school, which pays a monthly rent of £4,500, has repeatedly breached its lease by leaving equipment out, and despite several warnings not to do so.
Angry parents and staff attended a meeting of Christchurch Town Council, where they voiced their anger over the move.
The meeting was chaired by Christchurch mayor Cllr Paul Hilliard, who is also director of the trust.
Alex said: “I am surprised Cllr Hilliard is allowed to chair the council when this matter is being discussed. He is director and therefore surely has a vested interest.
“How is it possible for someone to remain 100% neutral when in a situation like this? I have attempted to communicate with Cllr Hilliard regarding this matter.
“Sadly he is not very forthcoming with information and has opted for a silent approach to this matter, sending me only one email stating the trust are in talks with the preschool.
“I could not attend the meeting, but from what I understand the public were allowed to read three statements and none of their questions were answered.”
In advance of last week’s town council meeting, the authority published a statement saying that it “appreciated emotions are running high in relation to this matter”, but that it “does not hold any jurisdiction in this matter”.
It added: “We must clarify that Christchurch Town Council does not manage, control, or influence decisions made by Mudeford Wood Community Trust.
“At the meeting, the mayor will be representing the town council and cannot address matters related to MWCT or any other organisation, so is not in a position to respond to questions of this nature.”
The pre-school is now working with BCP Council and local MP Sir Christopher Chope on resolving the issue at the community centre, and has denied breaching its lease, saying that the classroom was “purpose built and never intended as a play-and-pack-away” one.
