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TWO dedicated mothers have dipped into their own pockets to buy a much-loved pre-school after it looked set to close.

St George's Catholic Pre-School in Woodcock Road, Warminster, is due to be re-launched on Friday by town mayor Cllr Veronica Burden, after it was bought by mums Stephanie Sturdee, 26, and Gemma Williams, 30.

The pre-school, which was previously run as a charity, was forced to close because there were not enough people to sit on the parents' board, which is one of the regulations for charity-run schools.

Mrs Sturdee, of Bitham Brook, Westbury, said: "It ran okay but then we lost a few members when their children went to the next school.

"The chairman had to resign so the only option was for the school to close because we couldn't have only three people to run the charity commission."

Mrs Williams, of West Street, Warminster, and Mrs Sturdee came together with a shared passion and determination to keep the school running.

Mrs Sturdee, who has a degree in education, said: "It was just so sad to see something like that close just because some parents didn't have the time.

"It is part of the community. I am Catholic and I want my children to go to a Catholic school."

The two mums had a meeting with Molly Johnston, the headteacher of St George's Primary which rents out the room for the pre-school, and Father Bede of St George's Church as soon as they heard the school was going to close.

Mrs Sturdee, who has a three-year-old daughter Gabrielle and one-year-old son Timothy, said: "St George's couldn't take it on. They were fully supportive of us buying it though."

The school, which cost the mums £1,000 to take over, will receive a blessing from Father Bede at the official opening.

There are currently 13 pupils at the pre-school with five more places available.

Mrs Sturdee said: "I would like to say thank you to the teachers Kathy Hornsey and Claire Small. If it wasn't for them it wouldn't be running and the school would be nothing."

Although it is no longer a charity-run school it will continue to rely on donations to keep it running and so any help to keep it running will be gratefully received.

If you can help with donations or volunteer a couple of hours to help with the gardening and other maintenance, call Mrs Williams on 07940 216 214, or email sgpschool@yahoo.co.uk

12:29pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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