After the shock announcement in October 2020 that a beloved care home in Rowde was due to shut- people have been rejoicing at the news that the campus-style model has now been saved.

It has taken two years of relentless campaigning from local villagers and family members of those in the home to prevent the home from closing.

Acting as a haven for disabled adults, the home is more than an institution to those who live there- campaigners have stressed.

The campaign began with an application to the High Court for Judicial Review of the Hft decision.

This was later followed by months of campaigning, TV appearances, a 43,000-signature petition to “Stop the Closure”, demonstrations on the streets of Rowde, a Wiltshire Council election campaign, lobbying of local and national politicians, letters to Hft’s Patron the Princess Royal, Princess Anne and to the charity’s trustees , dozens of meetings and thousands of emails, letters, leaflets and stickers.

Antonia Field, Chair of the Families and Friends of Furlong Close which has run a sustained campaign to save Furlong Close said: “This has been a David and Goliath fight in which a small group of families and supporters has battled against a national Charity and the might of Wiltshire Council to prevent the implementation of an appalling decision to evict our loved ones from their long-term homes and relocate them around the county.”

Isabel Ozanne’s sister has lived at Furlong Close since it opened 29 years ago.

Their father was also Major General Stuart Greene who was MD and then Chair of the charity which established Furlong Close.

Isabel said: “I know that if my father were alive today he would be expressing his gratitude and admiration for all the campaign group’s effort. It is just such a relief to know that the futures of the residents are as settled as they can be.”

Trish Gange can also breathe a sigh of relief, as she has been a big part of the campaign and has a daughter who also lives at the home.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Old photo of Trish and her daughter Katie.Old photo of Trish and her daughter Katie.

She said: “We didn’t see the closure coming and without consultation it was just announced.

“There are two advantages to come out of this- Furlong Close is saved, and that is just the best thing ever. But we’ve also set a precedent so if anybody anywhere else took the Cavalier attitude to try and impose the same process on other homes somewhere they may find it very difficult.”