OVER 50 adults and children – plus numerous teddies – took part in a protest on Tuesday to save Alcombe Children’s Centre.
The group carried placards and formed a long protective line across the front of the centre to get their point across.
“People are very worried about this situation,” said protest organiser and West Somerset Labour Party secretary Kathrine See.
“The centres were a flagship Labour policy and were designed to be hubs of activity, information and support for families, ensuring that all children have opportunities.”
The centre is part of county-wide plans, currently being consulted on, that would see 24 children’s centres being reduced to eight with services and activities provided in community venues, people’s homes and online instead.
“It is totally unjustifiable that the county council is even considering cutting back on children’s centres and feelings in West Somerset are running high about their fate,” said Kathrine.
She said that, as well as parents and children, a good number of older people had joined the Alcombe protest because they believed there should be proper investment in children’s services.
She said the public also wanted a fair and true consultation.
“The online questionnaire is extremely poorly publicised, has leading questions, and there was only one face-to-face meeting in West Somerset, held in parents’ working hours.
“We are asking people to write to their local MP and papers, and we will continue to look for answers to the questions raised and lobby for a better investment in children’s services,” she said.