'Keep oor nurseries open!' Famous actor issues plea to Scottish Borders Council amid closure threat

Famous actor Jack Lowden is issuing a plea to Scottish Borders Council to: "Keep oor nurseries open".

The Slow Horses star - who grew up in the region - has shared a picture of him in his Channelkirk Primary uniform on his Instagram, after it emerged the school's nursery is one of seven under-threat.

Posting for his 177,000 followers, Lowden said: “Hearing that Scottish Borders Council have been closing rural nurseries across the area, with many more slated for closure or ‘mothballing’. Specifically in my old stomping ground of Channelkirk.

“This is apparently happening all across the country in rural areas. These nurseries are a vital lifeline for many families. Money’s tight across the board, of course, but these decisions seem counterintuitive to attracting people and businesses to our rural areas.

"Hope Scottish Borders Council can find a way of keeping these nurseries open and help the bairns and families of oor Hame to thrive."

Lowden - who has starred in a series of movies including Dunkirk, Mary Queen of Scots and Fighting with my Family, and has been tipped as a candidate to become the next James Bond - was born in Essex but grew up in Oxton, the main village in the school's catchment area.

Also a former pupil of Earlston High School, his support's being welcomed by Borders MSP Rachael Hamilton. She said: "It's basic common sense that parents and children need good nursery care near where they live.

"Closing these nurseries would be a huge inconvenience for local families and working parents, and could prevent people from moving to small towns in the future.

“The failure to engage meaningfully with parents has been disgraceful, with many completely blindsided by these proposals."

And she added: “I urge the council to listen to parents and not go ahead with these proposals."

Earlier this week, we reported that the local authority is set to close seven nurseries after the summer holidays in a bid to save £400,0000.

Channelkirk, Cockburnspath, Ednam, Fountainhall, Walkerburn, Westruther and Yetholm are all said to be operating at half their capacity or less, and within seven miles of a suitable alternative.

But some of those against the move claim the plans discriminate against families without access to a car and, in some instances, concerns have been raised over what it could mean for the viability of neighbouring primaries.

READ MORE: Plans to mothball Borders nurseries 'a direct attack' on rural communities

It's anticipated the proposed shake-up of early years provision, together with falling attendance, could mean the loss of the equivalent of 39 full-time members of staff.

A report, due to be presented to the council's Executive on Tuesday, states: "Before a final decision is made on any of the settings proposed for mothballing, a short period of consultation will be undertaken to allow those affected by the proposed changes to have a say on the impacts.

"It is expected that these consultations will allow parents to discuss both 1:1 with the headteacher and to meet as a group with officer representation."

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