For nearly two years our campaign has been working exhaustively for the return of the Lumley Coat of Arms to the badge of Lady Lumley’s School, Pickering’s only comprehensive school. We are now at a critical stage of the campaign.

We had sent a Public Information Request to the Coast and Vale Learning Trust (Scarborough), who now manage LLS, asking them to provide us with minutes of meetings where the LLS badge had been discussed by the Trust Board. We learnt that the Trust Board had never done so. This led us to ask why this was and the Trust arranged for an investigation into this issue.

We had decided to delay the presentation of our petition to the Trust because the CEO had refused to answer our letters. He referred us to his Chair who also did not answer our letters until he received our Public Information Request. We were therefore justified in not sending our petition to the Trust Board as it appeared they knew nothing about it. The Trust have now asked the Headteacher, Ms C. Foden, and the Local Government Committee (the school’s governing body) to meet to decide if: l the traditional 75-year-old, authentic (best-fit) badge should be returned; l or if the new Trust’s badge should remain on the school badge; l or a newly designed badge be commissioned.

Cost will be an issue taken into consideration but the school uniform has not as yet been changed so costs to parents will be minimised. Additionally, the traditional badge could be pasted over the Trust’s new badge on the signage at the school entrance temporarily.

The LGC meeting will be held shortly (we don’t know when). Therefore, supporters of the traditional badge should make every effort to send an email expressing their views to: l chair@ll.coastandvale.academy l Or write a letter to Ms Foden (Headteacher) or Mr Dawson, Chair of Governors, Lady Lumley’s School, Swainsea Lane, Pickering YO18 8NG Mac and Linda Brackstone, Pickering