AN ONLINE petition to save a Montgomeryshire primary school from shutting is closing in on 500 signatures. Protesters against Powys County Council (PCC) plans to close Castle Caereinion Church in Wales School near Llanfair Caereinion set up a change.org petition last week, which had reached 461 signatures by Sunday (February 14). Supporters of the school have described it as “worth its weight in gold” and say closing it would be akin to “ripping the heart” out of the community. The county council confirmed on February 9 that a consultation over controversial plans to close Castle Caereinion, as well as three other rural schools in Powys, will go ahead. The petition quickly appeared to fight proposals.