Public Open Forum - The Coin's Still In The Air

Every Parish Council I have checked provides a Public Open Forum - an opportunity for members of the public to address the Council on any subject, usually before the meeting starts. I contacted the Parish Clerk on 8 December enquiring why this facility was not available in Over. I have now received her reply, from which I quote:

‘Having once again contacted CPALC [Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Association of Local Councils] they have now furnished us with the information pertaining to this matter.Public participation constitutes part of the formal Parish Council meeting and the recommendation from CPALC is as follows:
“Public Participation - to allow up to ten minutes for any members of the public and Councillors declaring the existence and nature of a prejudicial interest to address the meeting in relation to the business to be transacted at that meeting.”
Essentially this means that a member of the public, or in fact a Councillor, has the opportunity to address the whole Council on any matter which is listed on the agenda of that meeting. ………………Please notify the Clerk as soon as possible of any matters you wish the Council to consider addressing.’

The following response will be delivered tomorrow:

‘Thank you for your letter of 17 December. Your response, which referred to ‘Public Participation’, has avoided the point of my request altogether. I asked about a ‘Public Open Forum’ when residents can address the Parish Council on matters of interest or concern, without prior notification.

I did not ask about ‘Public Participation’ in items on the Agenda at the Chairperson’s discretion or time for Councillors to declare the existence and nature of personal or prejudicial interests.

As it has taken at least 7 months for you to provide an answer to a question I did not ask, I suspect Over Parish Council is trying to avoid the courtesy of an Open Forum that all its near neighbours have granted.

The following information, taken from the Internet today, suggests a short telephone call to your Parish Clerk colleagues will put you on the right track without further prevarication or delay.

SWAVESEY PARISH COUNCIL
Notes from Public Open Forum etc.

WILLINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
There is a slot in the meetings for members of the public to address the Council on any matters which concern them.

BAR HILL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 19 November 2009
Present:
Apologies: No Apologies
Open Forum

Yours sincerely’

Watch this space for further information.
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Public Open Forum - Yes, No, Maybe?

With one exception, every Parish Council I have checked provides a Public Open Forum, which is an opportunity for members of the public to address the Council on any subject, for up to five minutes, usually before the meeting starts. That exception is Over. I have today delivered the following letter to the Parish Council Clerk:

'Dear Ms Poulter
It is more than six months since I approached you asking to address the Parish Council during Public Open Forum. You said you were unaware of this procedure and would ask advice from CPALC [Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Association of Local Councils]. I gave you written information provided by other Parish Councils in various areas.

At my request this matter was included on the Parish Council meeting agenda on 17 June. As confirmed in the Minutes, this matter was held over ‘until next meeting’ as you had still not received any information from CPALC regarding their apparent new guidelines.

Has this information now been received? Will you be providing an opportunity for members of the public to address your meetings during Public Open Forum? This facility is provided by every Parish Council I have contacted or checked on the Internet, including Swavesey, Willingham and Longstanton, who are all presumably working to the same CPALC guidelines as Over.

Otherwise have you contacted CPALC to find out why you have still not received information expected from them six months ago?
Yours sincerely'

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Over Needs A Pedestrian Crossing: But .......

Aware that many people feel unsafe crossing High Street, I contacted the Council regarding a feasibility study for the provision of a pedestrian crossing. I was informed that we needed to satisfy one of two criteria to be considered: (A ) 'if the site had a recognized personal injury accident site', or (B) the achievement of a certain formulated traffic/pedestrian figure, based on a 12-hour count. My offer to arrange the traffic count was rejected, and I was advised that the Council could arrange this, through a contractor, but AT MY EXPENSE. I asked for a breakdown of costing for this to be done.

Steve Thulborn, Traffic Technician, has now advised me that the cost would be between £556 and £928. However, he also informed me ‘May I stress that even if the results of your count show the site meets Policy there is no funding available’.
So, even if I paid for a traffic count and the figures meet the Council’s formulated targets, we would not get a crossing under option (B) because the Council does not have the money for this. It is to be hoped that we never qualify for a crossing under option (A)!
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Over Needs a Crossing : But Figures Don't Add Up

High Street is on a school route. People told me they felt unsafe crossing this road. I provided a traffic/pedestrian count for the Council Safety Department, and requested a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing.

On 1 July I received the information from Andy Swallowe, School Crossing Patrol Manager, which was mentioned in Kirsty Gilliland's email of 18 June. He had carried out a 30- minute morning survey on 19 May and a 30-minute afternoon survey on 3 June. These were done at ‘peak’ time. A formula is then applied to the numbers. He advised that the resulting PV² total was below the minimum requirement, and the request was therefore rejected.

The following are extracts from my response, also copied to Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire County Council:

'Your email to me states that 'The assessment showed that the peak times were 08.30 – 09.00 and 15.10 – 15.40 respectively.' My count covered double your time, but the figures more than doubled, indicating that your information - and therefore the formulated results - cannot be correct. Traffic flow, your formula basis, varies greatly according to the A14 situation. There are frequent delays and closures, causing traffic to take alternative 'faster' routes through the villages.'

'when you chose the days for your traffic/pedestrian counts, did you check whether these days were typical? Did you take into account extracurricular activities? Were you aware that from 8.00 - 8.45 on Tuesday mornings there is Gym Club and Maths Club. Also that on Wednesday afternoons there is Football Club, Gardening Club, Boys Street Dance and Girls Street Dance and Mad Science Club? Children attending these activities on those days would not have been included in your figures.'

'By restricting your count to 8.30-9.00 am you would also have failed to include children crossing High Street on their way to Swavesey College.'

'As a crossing patrol outside the school would not address the problems of crossing High Street, nor assist pedestrians crossing at other than school times, would you please arrange a 12 hour traffic count to assess the feasibility of a pedestrian crossing.'

I have received acknowledgement from Mark Lloyd, who has noted and passed the information to David Frost, Head of Road Safety Services. Andy Swallowe has emailed that ‘it would be beneficial for us both if we could discuss this matter over the phone’. On reflection, I have advised him that this matter is too important to be discussed on the phone and everything should be in writing. Further information will be provided as available.
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Wot No Post Office???

The mobile post office started in Over on 22nd June much to the delight of all the people to whom I have spoken. The friendly workers were pleased by our positive welcome. Alas, it couldn’t come on Wednesday and Thursday because a security bolt had jammed in the driver's side door, requiring the windscreen to be smashed to gain entry. The replacement windscreen had to be obtained from Edinburgh.

An explanatory notice went up in the lay-by and Andie Harper at Cambridgeshire Radio announced the setback. One of the organisers came to apologise to and reassure customers. It’s a shame a problem happened so soon after the service started but it was just one of those unfortunate things.

On Friday morning, when normal service resumed, a local Councillor welcomed the post office staff with news that she had allegedly had many complaints about their service interruption. I wonder how many complaints she had in the ten months when we had no post office and what she did about that! Did this complaining Councillor explain that unavoidable things happen? Did she explain that we should be grateful to the people at St James Church, Hemingford Grey for their efforts and not complain about an occasional problem? Without them, we would have no post office service in the village at all on any day!

In fact, the information that the Councillor passed on to the post office staff shows how quickly the service has been accepted as an integral part of village life, if 'many' people felt the necessity to contact her to comment on its absence.

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We Have A Post Office. Now We Must All Support It

THE WAIT IS OVER!

The mobile post office has opened for business. It arrived bright and early this morning and was all set up and ready for customers by 9.30.

By 11 o'clock this had been announced on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire's Andie Harper Show, and I had received a phone call from an elderly lady to say how thrilled she was at having been able to withdraw money, post a parcel and pay a bill in the smart new mobile, instead of having to travel to the next village. She was going off to spread the word round the village, and at her exercise class!

Checking back later with Nunce and Cath, (see photo), the two members of staff, they were delighted with the friendly reception and positive reaction they had received from villagers, and with the cups of coffee and biscuits provided by a lady living nearby! An excellent beginning to this most welcome and much needed service, which we must all now support 100% to ensure its continuation.


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Over Needs A Pedestrian Crossing

High Street is on a school route. Canvassing opinion, I was told by everyone that they felt unsafe crossing this road. I provided a traffic/pedestrian count for the Council Safety Department, and requested a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing.

On 17 June I emailed the involved parties at the Council:

'I have heard nothing from you since the copy email from Kirsty Gilliland to Andy Swallowe on 18 May requesting 'can you follow this up with Ms Lovett please'. I sent you details of an indicative survey I carried out on 18 May. I said I would carry out a 12-hour survey if you would advise the day and times you want this done. I sent you a link to my updated blog, http://mysteamvalve.blogspot.com/. Please advise what action you have taken/propose taking.'

I received the following response from Kirsty Gilliland, Team Leader, Safer Routes to School:

'Thank you for your e-mail below. I apologise that you have not received anything further in relation to this matter. I know that Andy went out and did a traffic survey at the junction you mentioned, shortly after my request to him to ask him to look into it. My understanding was that he sent you the details, so I am sorry that you have not received this. Unfortunately he is now on annual leave until next Thursday 25th June so I am unable to ask him about it. His business support officer Jane Major is at a conference today but I have copied her in to this e-mail to ask her if she is able to find a copy of the correspondence. If we can, we will e-mail it over to you as soon as possible. I trust this is acceptable to you in the short term, and will be in contact again within the next couple of days.'

I attended the Parish Council meeting last night. The provision of a pedestrian crossing was on the agenda. The Chair of the Parish Council reported that she had spoken to Cllr. Shona Johnstone, County Councillor, who is 'going to look into it'. I believe that with so many people 'looking into it'; conflicting information; lack of communication; confusion over communication, this is already resembling the cooks and the broth or celebrations in a brewery!

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An Accident Waiting To Happen - or - Waiting For An Accident To Happen?

Many people feel unsafe crossing High Street, which is on a school route. I contacted the Council Safety Department, provided a traffic/pedestrian count, and requested a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing.

Why, despite the following internal emails, have I heard nothing since 18 May? Is it that each one now thinks someone else is dealing with the query? Or has this matter just been filed away under 'pending', to be resurrected in the event of Over High Street becoming a 'recognized personal injury accident site'!

Kirsty Gilliland, Team Leader, Safer Routes to School and Community Projects, to Andy Swallowe, School Crossing Patrol Manager:
Hello Andy and Jane: I have just had a word with Jane to see if it is possible for you to do a count for this lady please? If you can do it, can you let me know and I will contact Ms Lovatt to explain what we are doing, and why.

Andy Swallowe to Kirsty Gilliland:
Having read the email and looked at the blog site they want a pedestriancrossing which can be used by adults/children alike throughout the day. This kind of request is normally forwarded to the relevant engineers who conduct a twelve hour traffic/pedestrian count. If the results do not meet the criteria but it is identified that children cross between the peak hours of 08.30 -09.00and 15.00 - 16.00 the engineers will as a rule contact me. I think this is the best way forward.

Kirsty Gilliland to Steve Thulborn, Traffic Technician:
We have received an e-mail into Cambridgeshire direct as below, which has been passed to us. The school are not on SRTS so we can't assist at the moment, but I have written to Ms Lovett and suggested she asks them to join. In the meantime, I contacted Andy Swallowe School Crossing Patrol Manager, and he says in his e-mail below that usual procedure is that South Engineers do a 12 hour traffic count. Can I leave that with you guys to arrange for Ms Lovett please?

Steve Thulborn to me:
I have been forwarded your request for a feasibility survey for apedestrian crossing on High Street, Over. We would normally undertakesuch survey if the site had a recognized personal injury accident site to ensure the provision of a crossing met with County Council policy. As this is not the case we do not have the resource to carry out surveys on your behalf. We could arrange for a survey on your behalf but would expect you to meet the costs of this.

Kirsty Gilliland to Andy Swallowe on 18 May, copied to me:
Hi Andy
As discussed, can you follow this up with Ms Lovett please, to see if there is anything we can do?
Many thanks
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I Spy With My Little Eye - A Mobile Post Office!

The new mobile post office arrived in the village this morning. Today was just a 'dry run', to put the van through its paces and check out its location in the village.
It was lovely to see it pull into the lay-by at The Green, and to finally meet the person I had spoken with so often on the phone, Lionel Wright, Parish Administrator at St James, Hemingford Grey. He was accompanied by Nunce, the postmistress who will be operating the service, with other colleagues, five mornings a week.

Although small in size, the 'mobile' is certainly big on facilities and what it is able to provide. There is a wheelchair ramp for those in need. Full post office services will be available, including currency, cash withdrawal and fishing licences. In addition it is hoped that car tax will be available from there soon.

The mobile post office opens for business at 9.30 on Monday 22 June, in the lay-by at The Green. It will be there Monday to Friday, 9.30 until 12.30.

As I said in my article in the 'Over News', the initial contract is for a year, but will continue as long as it remains financially viable. As we have experienced village life without a post office for almost a year, I know everyone will welcome and support this service and the staff operating it. Well done and thank you, St James Church, Hemingford Grey.

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A Safe Place To Cross Over - Council Response

I recently contacted the Council Road Safety Department asking how to apply for a feasibility study for a pedestrian crossing. I have received the following response from Steven Thulborn, Traffic Technician:

'I have been forwarded your request for a feasibility survey for apedestrian crossing on High Street, Over. We would normally undertakesuch survey if the site had a recognized personal injury accident siteto ensure the provision of a crossing met with County Council policy.As this is not the case we do not have the resource to carry out surveyson your behalf. We could arrange for a survey on your behalf but wouldexpect you to meet the costs of this. I have attached a copy of the Minor Traffic Management MeasuresNewsletter for your information.'


I responded to him as follows:


'Thank you for your email. To get more facts, we will organize an indicative survey. On which weekday and between what hours would you require this to be undertaken? Please let me know as soon as possible so arrangements can be made.'

I also conducted a one-hour pedestrian and traffic count this morning, and emailed the following information to the Council:

'Further to the email dated 15 May from Mr Thulborn, my earlier response regarding traffic count, and in order to provide more information, I have this morning recorded the following:

cyclists crossing High Street : 19

pedestrians crossing High Street : 119 (51 adults 68 children)

vehicles crossing junction of High Street/Fen End/Long Furlong, north/south or east/west : 376

These figures represent one hour's vehicle and pedestrian traffic, between 8.15 and 9.15 am. and only include those visible from my position. Photographs (faces obscured) are attached for clarification. As previously pointed out, this is a school route.

I trust this will be of interest and assistance to you and await your response.'

I will update this blog as information becomes available. In the meantime if anyone wants to volunteer to assist with the traffic count, if necessary, please contact me either as a blog comment or by email at JaneASLovett@aol.com. Thank you.

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Senior Citizens in Pub Lock-In?

The landlord of the pub where we meet once a month tells me that a member of the over-60s dining group has twice left without paying for their meal! He further believes that this month they did not pay for their dessert! His solution is that instead of paying individually, as we always have and as is our preference, I should collect the money and settle the bill. No! His alternative solution is that we pay individually but no-one be allowed to leave until everyone has paid and the meals and payments been verified. I don't think so! This left everyone with a rather nasty taste in their mouths.

Of course, this could not be down to the basic system of recording orders and payments that he uses or simple staff error!


Such allegations and suggestions are unacceptable, and either he employs a more accurate system, or this will become our 'Ex-venue'.

High Street Crossing - Council Contacted

To ascertain the correct procedure, I have sent the following email to Road Safety Department, Cambridgeshire County Council:

'I am leading a campaign for a pedestrian crossing at High Street, Over. The village is expanding. Traffic through the village is increasing. The village is divided by High Street. Crossing High Street involves risk, and the consensus is that people feel unsafe. This is a school route. Photos of the junction at High Street, Fen End and Long Furlong can be seen at http://mysteamvalve.blogspot.com/.
How do I request a feasibility study, please?'

The aims and targets for the Road Safety Department, as stated on the Cambridgeshire County Council website, are:

Safer Routes to School
Encourages walking and cycling on the school journey to reduce pollution, congestion, and obesity amongst young people.

The overall objective of the Council's road safety strategy is to achieve targets of no more than 360 deaths and serious injuries, 3000 slight casualties and 24 child deaths or serious injuries by the year 2010.

More pedestrians means more risk of accidents; a crossing would reduce this risk.

I will advise you of their response.

MOBILE POST OFFICE - START DATE CONFIRMED

As exclusively announced on the Andie Harper Show, Radio Cambridgeshire, I have just had confirmation that the mobile post office service will start in Over on 22 June 2009. It will be situated in the lay-by at The Green, Monday to Friday, 9.30 to 12.30. This is being provided by Hemingford Grey Post Office, which is supported by St James Church.

The contract is for a minimum of one year, but will continue for as long as financially viable. So it is up to us all to support this initiative - we must use it or we will lose it!

Thanks to everyone who has supported this campaign.

Safe Place To Cross Over - Update

These two photographs were taken from the same spot as the previous pictures.

Parked vehicles represent increased danger for pedestrians. If Mum had stood in front of the parked car, her view of the traffic from the right would have been obscured.

Let's not wait until an accident happens before we do something! Let's be proactive rather than reactive!

Comment Received from Kilian Bourke, County Councillor. (Original comment and response can be viewed by clicking on 'Comment' link at bottom of page). Thank you, Kilian!

Good luck with the campaign Jane. It seems that there is a clear need for a pedestrian crossing here, especially as it is a school route. I trust your local authority will listen to you and your fellow campaigners and act accordingly!Kilian Bourke, County Councillor for Romsey Ward Cambridge City

Safe Place To Cross Over

The speed limit through villages and residential areas is to be reduced to 20 mph. I support any measure which reduces injuries and death on the road. When road statistics are mentioned, it is invariably in relation to traffic speed and volume, obviously major issues on main roads and motorways. But nowadays no-one mentions that other potential hazard involved in road safety - the pedestrian!

Major pedestrian safety campaigns targeted young children as far back as 1961 when the Tufty Club was set up. This was a nationwide network of local groups; at its peak there were 24,500 registered Tufty Clubs. There was also the Green Cross Code (began in 1970). But these now only seem to exist on the internet.


The Highway Code Rules for Pedestrians 7A advises: First find a safe place to cross. Where there is a crossing nearby, use it. It is safer to cross using a subway, a footbridge, an island, a zebra, pelican, toucan or puffin crossing, or where there is a crossing point controlled by a police officer, a school crossing patrol or a traffic warden. Rule 20 says: 20) Where there are no controlled crossing points available it is advisable to cross where there is an island in the middle of the road.


Over is bisected by High Street; there is no crossing, subway, footbridge or island. Pedestrians need a safe place to cross High Street. Visibility from the kerb at Long Furlong (top picture 1) is restricted by the bend, and very often by parked vehicles. Yet this is the crossing point most used by children and parents returning from school. Going to and from school for many means negotiating the staggered junction in picture 2. This is also used by slower-moving, elderly pedestrians, crossing to get to the village's only shop.


Over has a good road safety record. But the amount of traffic on the roads is increasing. Not all drivers adhere to speed limits and the rules of the road. As the village grows, the number of pedestrians both young and old is on the increase. Pedestrians need a safe crossing which, with adequate advance signs, should reduce traffic speed through the village and help prevent accidents and retain our safety record.

A straw-poll taken of young mums so far shows 100% support for a crossing. Further views are being canvassed. You can add your comment by clicking on the 'Comment' link at the bottom of this page. Your comments can be made anonymously.

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Mobile Post Office Still On Course!

The Third Party has given me an update. 'We are still moving in a forward direction' . This is encouraging.

Although plans are not finalised and the contract not yet signed, the Third Party is working towards a mobile post office starting in Over by the end of June. The intention is for it to be in the village from 9.30 to 12.30 Monday to Friday. Apart from the usual post office services, photocopying and laminating on a 'next day' basis will be available. A wide range of stationery items will also be on sale.

The Third Party hopes to have definite information for me and the Over News in time for the June edition.

Parish Council Support Post Office Campaign

Thank you to Parish Council Chair Cllr. Wayman for inviting me to address the Annual Parish Meeting tonight regarding the mobile Post Office. The fact that the Parish Council has publicly expressed itself to be 100% behind me in this campaign is much appreciated. Further thanks are due to Cllr Dollard, who proposed that a link to my blog should now feature on the Parish Council website.

Well done Parish Council - you are definitely off my 'head in the sand' list! Thank you for your support.

Cambridge Guided Busway : Plan B

When completed, Cambridge's guided busway will be the largest in Europe, expected to carry some 20,000 passengers each day within eight years. The cost will be over £100 million (and that doesn't take into account extra fuel costs incurred by drivers during months of roadworks and diversions). 6,000 concrete beams now scar the rural areas. It is a high-profile, much debated project. With all this money and all this work, it has to be successful.

However, popular informed opinion indicates that it won't be. It doesn't serve enough villages. It's not convenient enough to attract drivers out of their cars. It will have a negative impact on existing rural bus services.

So maybe it's time to consider Plan B. Alternative uses.

My first thought was that the bus could double as a mobile post office. We are desperately in need of those! Then I thought - the ideal solution - senior citizens' mobile social club! We could travel on the same day every week and meet up with old friends, or be really adventurous, change our day and meet new people. Making use of our bus passes, we could ride round all day, catching up on the latest gossip and taking in the scenery whilst filling the guided bus and helping it to hit the projected passenger numbers. There's air conditioning for our comfort in the summer and heating during the winter - so we'll be saving on our domestic fuel bills.
We could have guest speakers. Exercise workouts - whilst seated, of course! A knitting circle! We could have free computer lessons for the uninitiated, making use of the free wi-fi - so 'concessions' wouldn't be an issue (see 'Thanks But No Thanks Swavesey Village College'). And the comfy leather seats would be ideal for a quiet read, or even an afternoon nap. Refreshments may not be allowed, but we could set up picnic tables at Park & Ride sites, where we could also use the toilet facilities.

Yes - it could work! It really could. Or do you have a better suggestion for what Mr Menzies (much-quoted Head of Guided Busway), can do with his guided bus?

Thanks But No Thanks Swavesey Village College!

I received a brochure from Swavesey Village College inviting me to enrol for one of their summer term courses. I checked what was available, then checked the cost, looking for the concession rates. Reduced rates are only available to those on benefits, including 'Asylum-Seeker receiving equivalent of an income based benefit'. However, as an OAP not in receipt of other benefits I would have to pay the full price!



Why are the over 60/65s no longer entitled to concessionary rates? Does this rationale only apply in the education sector or has it sneaked into other areas also? Sorry Swavesey College but I shall not be accepting your invitation.

Mobile Post Office Delayed By Snails & Ostriches

In the article published in the 'Cambridge News' today, (which can be viewed at
http://www.cambridgenews.co.uk/cn_news_crier/displayarticle.asp?id=409680) the Post Office response is:


'A Post Office spokesman said the company was working to provide a mobile service in Over and an announcement finalising the details would be made within weeks.'


As expected, we have been told nothing. It is now almost six months since the previous prospective sub-Postmaster lost interest. Why so long to secure a replacement? There are not that many in the area to contact! Why do we still have to wait 'weeks' for an announcement? When will the service commence? It is needed now! Can the Post Office and 'Network Change' really not move any faster?
Provision of this service is being obstructed by snails and ostriches!

The People Who Really Matter

‘Cambridge News’ asked if they could have a photograph of me to go with an article they are preparing. I suggested they include some of the villagers stressed by the Post Office closure. There would have been a lot more except for the ‘Friendship Club’ day-trip.

Thank you to all who came, to all who would have come and to all who sent messages of support. You are the people that matter; the people for whom the Post Office should be honouring their promise – the people whose lives are affected by the Post Office Management’s lack of imagination.


To view original of following comments or add one of your own, click on the 'Comments' link at the bottom of the page.

Comment from Greig Markham :
Thank you for showing the human face of what the Post Office Management calls 'efficiency savings.
Keep up the good work.

My response:

Thank you for your comments and support, Greig. 'Efficiency savings' are service cuts and job losses made to meet Government targets. Service cuts affect the vulnerable. Job losses are always from the bottom. Take too much away from the bottom of a structure, it becomes top-heavy and begins to collapse. Think Post Office. Think Health Service. Think Banking and Finance.

Comment from Cas:
Good for you Jane , its about time someone spoke up ......come on Over residents , lets give Jane all the support we can , instead of merely grumbling & doing nothing !

Comment from Alison:
Nice to know there are people like you brave
enough to stand and fight for those of us that cant or dont know how. Thankyou

My response:

Thank you both for your messages. This is not a 'one-woman campaign'. Because I listened, I know the strength of feeling, and acknowledge the level of support from villagers and their appreciation of my efforts on their behalf. And Alison, for just causes someone will always step forward to be the representative, knowing they have the might of the silent majority behind them.

Comment from Fran:
Thank God for Grumpy ol Women, especially the ones that are willing to right a wrong for everyone's benefit. I am a GOW from across the pond and read of your efforts via a relative. I don't know you but I applaud you and wish you well! You shine!
Fran
Maryland, USA


My response:

Thank you Fran - Grumpy Old Women of the world unite! WTG!

I Thought It Was Just Me!

At first I thought it was only me. I didn't realise how many people felt the same way. But slowly it dawned on me that whenever two or more people were in conversation, after discussing the latest aches and pains and rising prices, the subject of the post office inevitably followed. What had happened to it? Were we still likely to get it? Had anyone heard anything? So I was not the only one wondering! That was why I contacted ‘Network Change’ to see what information I could find. This prompted me to write an article for the ‘Over News’, followed up by this blog. It is no surprise to me that my invitation to provide information or make comment on the blog has been ignored by the very people who should be championing this cause.

Many are affected by lack of a post office in the village. I was stopped today by a Young Mum who was bemoaning the fact that, without transport, she was no longer able to access a post office to top up her meter cards. So it is not just the elderly. There are many medical conditions which mean the suspension of driving licence, conditions which can affect the young as well as the old. I was diagnosed with a heart attack at the age of 50 (incorrectly, as I found out many years later, but that is a subject to be covered on my blog another day!), and not allowed to drive for six weeks. My daughter recently had her licence suspended following a fall, in which she sustained a wrist fracture. She had to wait ten weeks before being declared medically fit to drive. And she is only 37. How would YOU cope if unable to drive out of the village for a length of time?

Village facilities are important to us all, and we should do all we can to protect them. And if that includes asking questions of people who decline to comment, whether on personal or political grounds, that should not silence us.

Whilst writing the above, a flyer came through the letterbox. Called 'Intouch', it is a newssheet from our local Conservatives, and is an update of what they are doing for us. I searched for information about the post office, but not one word! However, what leapt off the page was the comment 'Through efficiency savings of £18 million.....'. Eighteen million pounds! Were they so inefficient before? Do I feel another blog subject coming on?

Over Residents Duped by Post Office? Local press to investigate! Update

This morning (Wednesday) I have been contacted by the local press. They have read my blog and are now planning to write an article. They are keen to investigate whether our village is the only one not to have received the mobile service promised by the post office, or whether this treatment is widespread. I look forward to reading their findings! Even if we are the only village where the commitment has not been honoured, that is one village too many! A photograph will be taken for inclusion in the article, and many of the people affected by this situation have expressed their hope to be there to show support.

Over Residents Duped by Post Office? Update

I started my blog to bring up to date information between issues of the Over News. I sent a link to councillors, MPs, media and organisations, in the hope of receiving support or information. My only response was from Martin Dollard, Parish Councillor, who offered interesting thoughts and support, for which he has my thanks, not only for reading the blog but for responding publicly.

My disappointment - though not surprise - was replaced by optimism when a Third Party gave me the news that, subject to finalising details, they will provide a mobile post office service in Over from the summer. I will provide more information on my blog, and for the Over News, as it becomes available. However, just in case this initiative fails, the campaign continues!

Over Residents Duped by Post Office? Are We Alone?

Residents of Over know our post office history and may have read the latest information in the recent ‘Over News’. For those who don’t know, here is the story so far:

Our Post Office was listed for closure. It was accommodated in the village’s only shop. Residents signed a petition against its closure. Our petition did not work probably because there is a post office in each of the nearby villages. Another factor may have been that the relief manager and his wife may not have been entitled to compensation. The post office closed last autumn. By way of a sweetener, Over was promised a mobile post office service.

Towards the end of February, without the promised mobile service or any news about it, I found out what was happening. I contacted ‘Network Change’, who are responsible for post office reorganization, and our local Member of Parliament, Jim Paice.

Whilst Mr. Paice responded positively, and agreed to look into the matter, Network Change ignored me. Eventually, after a prod, they told me the mobile service was dependent on finding a local Sub-Postmaster willing to provide the service. This was proving difficult to arrange; however, they were negotiating and hoped to have news soon when they would contact me again. This was the situation that was reported in the ‘Over News’.

Now read on:

On the 18 March, our M.P. told me

"It is extremely unsatisfactory that the village has been left without any service for so long. I understand that the delay was exacerbated because the person who had originally agreed to be "the Core sub-Postmaster" who would run the Mobile Service for Over and other villages decided to withdraw in November. I am told that they have now found another "Core sub-Postmaster" and they are currently developing that to provide the Mobile Outreach Service in Over in the not too distant future.
I am very concerned at these continued delays but I thought you would wish to know the action I have taken. "

to which I responded:

"Dear Mr Paice
Thank you for your email updating the situation regarding the promised mobile Post Office service for Over. Given that the proposed Core sub-Postmaster withdrew his interest in November, and we are now approaching the end of March, the Post Office certainly seems to have failed to provide Over residents with a fast, reliable or First Class service.
However, thank you for your efforts on our behalf, and I will certainly keep you informed of developments, or lack thereof.
Regards"

Now, what should not surprise me, is that I have had no further contact from Network Change. They said they would contact me again! But that’s what they always say! As they have information for Mr Paice, why have they not passed the good news on to the villagers? I did tell them their comments would be published in the Over village magazine.

Are the 'official' and 'public' lines different? Are they merely telling the MP what they think the MP wants to hear? Did they think we would drive to another village to post our letters or draw our pensions, and that those without transport, and the elderly/infirm, would rely on others to help them out? Did they intend fulfilling their promise, or expect that as time went on we would forget all about it?

Does anyone know of any other area which has been promised a mobile post office service? Has this ever materialised? Or are the residents, like us, still waiting? If you know the answer - or think you know the answer - to any of the above, please let me know.

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