Letter: There is already a Big Society in Lydbury North

Letter: The Big Society is promoted by Mr Cameron as if there's something revelatory about it. There is such a thing as society. Well well.

Lydbury North in rural south Shropshire is the very microcosm of the Big Society. The place is humming, and although they didn't know it had a name, local people have been quietly getting on with the Big Society. Here is multum in parvo.

Ten years ago the village shop and post office was condemned to death. This week it celebrates its 10th year as a small independent community shop and PO, run and organised entirely by more than 30 volunteers.

There is also the parish council, the village hall management committee the gardening club, Women's Institute - and, of course, the pub and the church.

And at the heart of the village is the primary school (38 pupils after Easter) with 400 years of history, a governing body (volunteers), and an energetic and committed parents' group to support it. It is an essential component of the Big Society of Lydbury North.

Two years ago it was saved from closure in a campaign supported by Nick Clegg and local Conservative MP Philip Dunne.

Now this school is again on Shropshire Council's hitlist for closure, given 42 days to save more than 400 years of schooling. Of course the community will again fight hard to save it. But if it is condemned to death, what price then the Big Society in Lydbury North?

Does Mr Clegg now stand up for this school and for the Big Society here? Perhaps he should ask Mr Cameron and the Conservatives of Shropshire Council what the Big Society really is all about.

David Wilkinson

Bishop's Castle