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!