Volunteer pledges to save village post office

10:41am Friday 4th July 2008

A volunteer has stepped forward to help save a village post office which closes today after the resignation of the present sub postmaster in Cowling.

Michael Hilton, who ran Farnhill post office for 19 years, has stepped into the breach and pledged to do the job.

Villagers gathered in Cowling Village Hall on Tuesday morning to voice their support for the new post office, to be opened in a dedicated room in the building.

It was resolved to distribute a questionnaire to every home asking residents what and how many days it should be opened and who would use it.

And another meeting has been set for July 17 or 18 when it is hoped a Post Office representative will be present to give details about the cost of setting it up and how it should be run.

Mr Hilton, who attended the meeting, said: "I know from experience how a post office can be a vital part of a community like Cowling.

"When elderly people come for their pensions, they have not probably seen anyone since the week before.

"I used to put out chairs so people could sit and chat - it made it a social occasion as well. You can tell by the number of people who have attended today that it will be successful."

Residents were told not to expect a quick solution and to accept there was not likely to be a post office facility for some weeks.

County Councillor Mark Wheeler said he had spoken to a Post Office official and they revealed the cost of setting up a community office operating about 14 hours a week could be £5,000.

"At the meeting in July when the Post Office representatives are here it must be made very very clear what you want," he stressed.

Richard Price, chairman of the village hall committee, who chaired the public meeting, said he had received a letter from the Post Office which was fully supportive of a post office remaining in the village.

A Post Office spokesman said it was committed to maintaining a service in the village but new premises would be needed because the present building would not be available.

While the branch is closed, customers can use Cross Hills Post Office in Prospect Street or any other branch of their choice.

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