Beachamwell: Church to be PO?
POST office campaigners in Beachamwell have been offered a possible olive branch in the fight to save their branch with news the village church could accommodate counter services.
St Mary's Church has been approached by Post Office bosses with a view to using the historic building as part of a replacement outreach service.
The church council will now consider the proposal in further detail, but there are no assurances the idea will definitely go-ahead at this very early stage.
Read also: Send 'Save Our Post Offices' petitions
Church secretary Mrs Sonia Williams said: "If it would help the village the church may try and go for it but we have to be realistic and there are a lot of practicalities to look at.
"The best option is to keep the post office open. There is no public transport here and we have a lot of elderly people.
"Other villages and small hamlets in the area use the post office and it seems such a shame that it may close. It is an amenity we really do use."
Mrs Williams said the idea has yet to be discussed by the full council but an approach has been made to insurers regarding the financial implications of the move.
Post Office officials are due to visit the village shortly to assess the suitability of the site.
Beachamwell Parish Council held a public meeting on Monday to discuss the closure plans with residents and a detailed letter of objection is now being prepared.
Residents have slammed the closure as the nearest branches in Swaffham and Fincham are both around five miles away, which exceeds the recommended three-mile radius.
Concerns have also been raised because there is only one bus a week to Lynn along with one service to Swaffham.
Parish council vice-chairman Cllr Diana Lambert told the Lynn News: "We had around 60 people at the meeting and everyone has voiced an opinion.
"If it is at all possible this should be kept open due to the area it serves. Public transport is virtually non-existent and the post office is for everyone's benefit.
"We are five miles from Swaffham and nearly five from Fincham, which only has one shop and a small post office.
"If the Post Office can come up with something so we can have a service in the village I think people will use it to the best of their ability."
The parish council is due to deliver detailed letters of objection to residents next week for use during the consultation period.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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