Long hike to go to the post office

HANGING proudly in the corner of a back street post office is a black-and-white photograph taken nearly 150 years ago.

Its outward appearance has changed little in all these years. This picture stands as a poignant reminder of what this town is set to lose.

The days of the pound, shilling and pence may be long gone, but to elderly residents living near this Clifton Street branch, it's still the same old post office they know and love.

As children they bought sweets here. Young women posted letters to loved ones fighting in war-torn Europe from here.

And now in their twilight years they draw their weekly pension here.

Yet if Watford-based bosses get their way, this vital lifeline will be confined to the history books along with imperial measurements.

The Clifton Street branch is one of three facing closure in November.

Cash-strapped bosses insist the drastic action is needed to stem huge financial losses. And they say a lot of thought was given before the proposals were drawn up.

The Post Office stresses that it has consulted branches before announcing its plans, but as we reported in Saturday's Evening Advertiser, one branch claims to they were pressured to put pen to paper.

But all this is of little relevance to the scores who rely on the service.

Noreen Smart, 70, lives in the same house in Clifton Street where she was born and raised.

"I used to run down the street with my friends to buy sweets at this post office," she says with a wry grin.

"It's not just a building to elderly people it's a place to meet friends and chat.

"This post office is crucial to all the elderly people who live around here. It will be these people who will suffer most if it goes."

Several managers have come and gone over the years and Mrs Smart ranks current postmaster, Mohibali Nayani, as among the best

She said: "All our postmasters have been very nice. I can remember three or four.

"One of my favourites was Mr Wall he was there when I was at school. He was always really cheerful and me and my friends used to buy sweets from him. The one we have now really is a pillar of the community and he deserves a medal for his years of hard work.

"On a number of occasions old folk have mentioned that they have run out of sugar or milk and he has taken some for them," she said.

"What other services are pensioners going to lose?"

If the final decision is taken to shut this branch, Mrs Smart and her friends face an extra half-mile walk to Westcott Place.

She said: "To get there you have to walk down a very steep flight of steps.

"Some of my neighbours have difficulty walking one has Alzheimer's disease and relies on her daughter to nip over the road to post her letters.

"Some elderly person will definitely slip and hurt themselves on their way to Westcott Place if this one closes. In winter, or when it's wet, this path can be very dangerous. The cracks in the pavement fill up with water and your feet get soaked through."

Fellow pensioner Alison Chapman, 82, of Kingshill, has been using this branch since 1946.

She said: "It's a wonderful service. I think it's disgusting what they are planning to do. So many elderly people use this post office I don't know what we are going to do."

The Evening Advertiser wants to hear from anyone who has special memories of one of the under-threat post offices Clifton Street, Ferndale Road and Oxford Road branches. We also want to hear what the impact of these proposed closures will be on customers. Call the Adver newsdesk on 01793 501802.

Kevin Shoesmith