RESIDENTS and day-users of Hft Rowde, also known as Furlong Close, have come together over the festive period.

The home has been earmarked for closure but this has now been postponed from the original June date by charity Hft and Wiltshire Council.

Day service user Alan Minter, who lives in Market Lavington, has now created a song, with the help of local singer Jemma Brown of The Invitation Theatre Company, and Martin Spencer, producer at The Badger Set.

Alan, who has used Furlong Close’s facilities since 1992, hopes his song can make a difference in potentially overturning the decision to close the facility.

He says he misses his friends and the staff and the animals at Furlong Close. His song, a cover of Elton John’s Can You Feel the Love Tonight, has now been seen more than 1,000 times on Youtube.

While Alan’s song reaches the masses, families of Furlong Close residents did not slow down on their fight over Christmas.

Campaigners have set about tracking down families of HfT residents in Devon, Oxfordshire and Berkshire and set up a crowdfunder page for potential legal fees in the coming months.

Support, not only from the village of Rowde, but from across the country, has reached those campaigning for a reversal of Hft’s decision.

Trish Gange, whose daughter Katie lives at Hft Rowde, said: “Just to be aware that there are so many people out there who have no personal connect with the place, but feel so strongly that they’ve come together in this way, I think is an indication of public spirit.”

Antonia Field lives in Suffolk, and is thankful for the support for her brother, Robin. She said: “I find it really humbling how accepted and part of that community he is. He is now 63 and he’s had a full and fulfilled life, an independent life, with contacts and friends where he lives.” Hft Rowde has promised their “collective focus” will be supporting Wiltshire Council’s assessment process to work with residents and families alike.

Emma Bagley, HfT divisional director for the south west, previously said: “The commitment of additional resources from the local authority means we are able to continue to run this service over a longer transition period.” The council has previously pledged to support residents and stated it is Hft’s decision to close Furlong Close.