Dozens of protestors, young and old, gathered in Ross Market Place on Saturday desperate to show their support for The Chestnuts. People came together to peacefully demonstrate just how important this residential home is to the town of Ross.

Over and over again people came forward to speak to the Ross Gazette and to repeat this message.

There were many members of staff, relatives and even residents but there were also many ordinary people who had given support to the Trustees when they took over running The Chestnuts 20 years ago. Many of them were bewildered that they had not been asked to help before the decision was made to close.

Many people signed a petition and Brian Jackson read aloud a letter he had written in protest at the closure. He said that the closure of The Chestnuts should be put on hold. He said:?"The community of The Chestnuts residents must be kept intact. The parties involved must accept that somewhere there is a solution and the eviction of the residents halted until they find it." This was met with a round of applause from the crowd.

Councillor Joyce Davis led calls for a public meeting where people with money or ideas, or even representatives of local businesses, could come forward to help.

Councillor Andy Atkinson explained that it was not just a question of finding the money for rent. He said there should not be a public meeting until after negotiations with anyone interested in taking over The Chestnuts had been completed as they could possibly jeopardise the process.

He added that the Council had managed to secure some extra time with the Trustees to allow for further negotiations to take place.

Read more about the protest in the Market Place in this week's Ross Gazette